The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will be held March 21, and it will be marked locally.
That was the message Darlene Stakiw, on behalf of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan shared with Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.
“It has been more than fifty years since the most unspeakable racist incidents occurred in South Africa, shocking the whole world and prompting the United Nations to declare March 21, as a commemorative date to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,” she said.
“The United Nations made this designation in 1966 to mark a tragic event that took place in 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa when 69 people lost their lives and 180 others were injured when the police fired on a crowd of peaceful demonstrators who were challenging laws that restricted black South Africans’ movements under apartheid.”
March 21st is a day observed all around the world to focus attention on the problems of racism and the need to promote racial harmony.
Canada was one of the first countries to support the UN initiative and launched its first annual campaign in 1989. In Saskatchewan, this remains the day when we join with nations around the world to promote a society which is free from all forms of racism.
“Despite the passing of subsequent years since the Sharpsville tragedy, and dedicated efforts to end racism, many Saskatchewan citizens are still denied respect and opportunities. Racism continues to deny people equality in important areas of their lives including: employment, education, housing and public services,” said Stakiw.
Stakiw said the day remains an important one to mark.
“We are all one human family. These words occur in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. There is much diversity in this family and it is from that diversity we draw great strength,” she said.
The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan is coordinating efforts throughout the province to recognize and reject racism.
Stakiw also invited the community to attend a free event on Thursday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the Land Titles Building – Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
“Once again, we are partnering with Yorkton Film Festival who has been a great partner and supporter for many years. We are screening the film “Counter Act” followed by a facilitated workshop with Bara’ Academy of the Arts, Twila Napoleoni. It is a free event and we are asking people to register at EventBrite.ca to ensure we have enough food and supplies,” she explained.
