Hate & racism
Updated: April 26, 2022
Vancouver based organizations and companies join together to combat rising acts of hate.
The NAH Collective announced today the official launch of the “Never Accept Hate (NAH)” campaign to combat rising incidents of hate in British Columbia. The campaign, including community calls to action, is a grass-roots initiative to effectively engage British Columbians in making hate unacceptable.
“In response to the hateful incidents that we have witnessed over the course of the pandemic, communities across B.C. have rallied to support one another,” said Kasari Govender, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner. “The Never Accept Hate campaign carries a clear message: we are not powerless in the face of hate. In our increasingly polarized world, it is important to take these opportunities to stand together against bigotry and violence.”
“Broadcasters in B.C. have been reporting on the dramatic rise of acts of hate in our province,” said Rob Germain, President, the BC Association of Broadcasters. “Many of our journalists have themselves been targeted, especially those who face discrimination in their public roles because of their ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. That’s why private radio and television broadcasters are supporting the Never Accept Hate campaign by donating $2.5 million in airtime over 12 months. The message could not be more timely or important.”
Debuting in March 2022 with TV and radio spots, the NAH campaign was developed to encourage a vocal stance against acts and speech of hate. From anti-Asian hate to hate directed at the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to violence and aggression directed at healthcare workers, hate crimes nearly doubled in Vancouver in 2020 from the previous year.[1] And since the start of the pandemic, one in four people in B.C. have either experienced or witnessed a hate incident.[2] These staggering numbers inspired the creation of the NAH campaign, encouraging members of the community to call out and/or report acts of hate rather than simply being bystanders.
CALLS TO ACTION
- Do More.
The grass-roots initiative encourages involvement through research, dialogue and allyship. While not an exhaustive list, NeverAcceptHate.ca provides some actionable resources as part of community learnings of how to stand up against hate. - Speak Up.
To help stop the spread of hate speech, the NAH collective is encouraging individuals, businesses and other members of the community to showcase strength in numbers by adding their voice as an ally on social media. Community members are encouraged to re-tweet NAH’s press release on April 26 from @WPAdvertising, @KirkandCo or share a personal message using the hashtag #NAH. - Never Accept Hate.
For business and organizations looking at how to get involved with the NAH campaign, please contact nahcollective2022@gmail.com.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF NAH
Friends of NAH include suppliers that have donated time and resources towards the campaign. PostPro Productions, Wave Productions, The Image Company and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
THE NAH ADVISORY CIRCLE
Andeen Pitt, Tessica Truong, Dr. Margaret Kovach, Nina Krieger, Shushma Datt and Dr. Reginald D’Silva sit on the NAH Advisory Circle.
ABOUT BCOHRC
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner exists to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination and injustice in B.C. by shifting laws, policies, practices and cultures. We do this work through education, research, advocacy, inquiry and monitoring. Learn more at: bchumanrights.ca
For media inquiries please contact:
Stephanie Maniago
Director, Client Services at Kirk & Co. Consulting Ltd.
E-mail: stephaniemaniago@kirkandco.ca
Cell: 604-813-3159
[1] 2020 Vancouver Police Department Crime Report
[2] Source: BC Human Rights Commission