Anti-racism campaign coming to Estevan

An anti-racism campaign is coming to Estevan later this winter and into the spring.

A letter to city council read at Monday's council meeting indicates the campaign will begin in late February and run until the end of March, with March 21 being International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The campaign is an initiative of Southeast Newcomer Services, along with Transition Services and Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS), both programs of Southeast Newcomer Services.

"Our hope is to promote anti-racism discourse and awareness within our community as well as to establish our organization and our community as a safe space for every individual. We see this as an opportunity to encourage our community to come together and be united against racism," the letter said.

Southeast Newcomers Services has asked council for permission to use wall space at the Estevan Leisure Centre to display the campaign. 

Council supports the initiative and is expected to grant them the use of that space.

"I think we should support their request as well as participate alongside them, and have them work with our social media team, as well as partner with the library for a matching display on international elimination of racism and discrimination," said Coun. Kirsten Walliser.

Coun. Rebecca Foord said some of the signage should go inside Affinity Place.

"I would like to request that maybe we think about putting it somewhere near Affinity, in the rink area somewhere," she said. "I think the number was 67 per cent in a study done in 2018. There was a 67 per cent rise of racial activity in sport. I think it's something that's talked about greatly right now, so I think it'd be good to place it somewhere where sporting events are for people to see."

The display will consist of anti-racism pledges signed by participants and the public, plus signage that identifies Southeast Newcomer Services, the letter said. Southeast Newcomers Services said they currently have 38 signed pledges.

February is also Black History Month in Canada.