'People need to get involved': Calls for action following recent hate crimes in St. Catharines (Niagara This Week, St. Catharines Standard)

(https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/local-st-catharines/news/2022/06/15/people-need-to-get-involved-calls-for-action-following-recent-hate-crimes-in-st-catharines.html)

'People need to get involved': Calls for action following recent hate crimes in St. Catharines

Black-owned business, Harriet Tubman school vandalized over the weekend

By Abby Green

Wed., June 15, 2022

Michael Andrade has the same routine every Sunday.

While the restaurant he owns, the Caribbean Eatery, is closed to the public that day, he still shows up there each week by himself to make patties. Those patties are destined for Southridge Community Church.

But when he showed up to the Lake Street restaurant this past Sunday, his solitude was shattered by an act of vandalism. Racial epithets and other symbols had been spray painted across a vehicle that was parked in front of his restaurant.

Andrade, who has owned the eatery for more than 20 years without incident, said he was shocked and didn’t really know what to do.

He called Niagara Regional police, but said he was told they couldn’t immediately do anything because no one knew who owned the tagged car.

When Andrade got home later that day, he heard his children talking about another act of vandalism that had occurred at Harriet Tubman Public School, not too far from the restaurant on Henry Street.

“That’s when I realized this wasn’t neighbours or something,” he said. “This was a whole different thing.”

Saleh Waziruddin, chair of the St. Catharines Anti-Racism Advisory Committee, said this attack and the vandalism at the school are just examples of the worsening situation in the city.

“I think there’s a danger that this kind of environment of where there’s hate speech and hate signs, it’s a precursor to physical violence,” he said. “There’s a danger that it’s not just words, that people’s lives are going to be destroyed … people can’t think this is going to blow over. People need to get involved.”

In a statement posted to social media, St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik said this weekend was “not a high point for our city.”

“Not only was Harriet Tubman School vandalized with racist and homophobic slurs, but also surrounding areas, including a Black-owned business,” he said. “The words used are charged with white supremacy thinking. Whether it was a lone person or a group of people — the actions point to a poisonous way of thinking.”

Sendzik said he spoke with Niagara Regional Police Services Chief Bryan MacCulloch about the alarming increase of hate crimes across the region.

“When these despicable acts take place, we need to not only call it out forcefully but also show support to those impacted by the hate-fuelled vandalism,” he said.

Andrade said he’s never experienced anything like this in his business’ 20 years.

“I didn’t know how to deal with it,” he said. “My kids work for me and grandkids play around with me … my grandkids had to see all the racial slurs written on the vehicle, and I have one granddaughter who goes to Harriet Tubman, so she got a double dose.”

Anyone with information about this weekend's acts of vandalism can submit it anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Niagara. To leave a tip, contact Crime Stoppers via telephone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.crimestoppersniagara.ca. Crime Stoppers guarantees anonymity and tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(CKTB Interview) SALEH WAZIRUDDIN, NIAGARA REGION ANTI RACISM ASSOCIATION REACTS TO VANDALISM AT HARRIET TUBMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL

 (CKTB interview with Steph Vivier filling in for Tom McConnell on behalf of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association)

SALEH WAZIRUDDIN, NIAGARA REGION ANTI RACISM ASSOCIATION REACTS TO VANDALISM AT HARRIET TUBMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL

CHCH Evening News Interview on Behalf of Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association

CHCH 6pm and 11pm news on the vandalism of the Harriet Tubman Public School and area in St. Catharines, on behalf of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association 

N-WORD SPRAY PAINTED ON CAR AT CARIBBEAN EATERY IN ST. CATHARINES SAME NIGHT TUBMAN SCHOOL TARGETED (610 CKTB)

(https://www.iheartradio.ca/610cktb/news/n-word-spray-painted-on-car-at-caribbean-eatery-in-st-catharines-same-night-tubman-school-targeted-1.18005214)

N-WORD SPRAY PAINTED ON CAR AT CARIBBEAN EATERY IN ST. CATHARINES SAME NIGHT TUBMAN SCHOOL TARGETED

BONNIE HESLOP

Tuesday, June 14th 2022 - 4:04 pm

Photo: Prince Tunda Facebook

Niagara Police say that detectives are looking into the racist and homophobic vandalism at Harriet Tubman Public School.

Over the weekend many parts of the school including the sign and statue of Tubman were vandalized

Saleh Waziruddin from the Niagara Region Anti Racism Association joined CKTB with reaction saying it appears the suspects knew what they were doing.

"The more and more details that come out, this was pretty brazen. They took their time. They got all four sides of school, houses and buses nearby, and I don't think it's an accident that cars at a Caribbean restaurant were sprayed with racist graffiti as well. The video from the Caribbean Eatery shows them just walking nonchalantly and they weren't worried about being caught."

The Lake Street restaurant has released its video on social media showing two suspects walking through their parking lot.

A car had the N-word spray painted on it during the incident.

Police have not said whether the incident at the restaurant is linked to the Tubman vandalism.

Police are asking for people in the neighbourhood to check any cameras they have to see if they have any footage to pass along to detectives.

Niagara police hate crime unit reviewing racist, homophobic vandalism at Harriet Tubman school (St. Catharines Standard)

(https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/crime/2022/06/13/community-responds-to-act-of-hate.html)

Niagara police hate crime unit reviewing racist, homophobic vandalism at Harriet Tubman school

Anti-racism association calls for region-wide condemnation of hateful crime

By Allan BennerStandard Reporter

Mon., June 13, 2022

The Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association is calling for condemnation of white-supremacist and homophobic graffiti spray painted over a statue of Harriet Tubman, as well as on the St. Catharines elementary school named for the famed Underground Railroad conductor.

Anti-racism association executive member Saleh Waziruddin said the organization is pleased that a few elected officials publicly condemned the incident that occurred Saturday evening, but “we’re calling on all elected officials and anyone who has a voice to add to that condemnation.”

“We want the region to ring with condemnation of this,” Waziruddin said.

The association issued a statement Monday saying the people who perpetrated these attacks need to hear the outrage their actions have caused “so that it stays in the minds of anyone who is encouraged by this vandalism to escalate to more violence.”

“No one in Niagara can rest in comfort thinking that the escalation of white supremacist and anti-2SLGBTQQIA+ violence will escape us,” the statement said.

Rochelle Bush, a trustee and historian at Church Salem Chapel, visited the school Sunday to survey the damage, describing it as “absolutely very upsetting.”

“What really disturbs me is why they would do this to a bunch of elementary school kids who are predominantly white. Why terrorize them?” she said. “All those children now and all those who attended (the school) previously, all the parents, all the teachers, they all know now that there are white supremacists out there who despise them just because they attend or are employed by a school that is named after Harriet Tubman.”

The incident hit close to home for Bush, after a stone sculpture of the famed civil rights icon, which had stood on a pedestal in the courtyard of Salem Chapel British Methodist Episcopal Church since 2010, was toppled and broken on Oct. 14. Jessie Lohnes-Alanko, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five months behind bars in March after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the vandalism at the church.

The vandalism at the church, however, was attributed to a mental health episode and was not considered a hate crime.

Niagara Regional Police spokesperson Stephanie Sabourin said the NRP’s equity, diversity and inclusion unit which investigates suspected hate crimes is aware of the incident and is reviewing it.

She said the police investigation is continuing and police are asking anyone in the area to review any video footage they may have, including dashcam footage and contact detectives if they have any further information.

Bush called for tough enforcement.

“It’s not a question of education because you can educate people all you want. It’s what is in their heart,” she said. “It’s just awful. There are just some hate-filled people out there and some who enjoy being troublemakers who want to upset everyone else’s world.”

In addition to the vandalism at the church, Waziruddin said a Harriet Tubman School located in the freedom-seeker’s home state of Maryland in the US, was also vandalized by white supremacists a year ago.

District School Board of Niagara education director Warren Hoshizaki issued a statement Monday, describing the attack on the school as “an act of hate.”

“The graffiti that covered the school contained grievous messages against the Black community, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” Hoshizaki said.

He said the school board acknowledges the disturbing incident may leave people feeling “traumatized, fearful, unsafe, and vulnerable,” including students, staff, and families, who have been deeply impacted.

“We will not tolerate any acts of racism, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, or any other forms of discrimination or hate in our schools or communities, and we will speak out against these acts,” Hoshizaki said. “We extend our gratitude to those who gave their support to the Harriet Tubman school community. This includes the community members who contacted us, the Niagara Regional Police for their ongoing investigation and the DSBN staff who quickly arrived at the school to cover the graffiti and are continuing the work today.”

Regional Chair Jim Bradley issued a statement expressing his “unreserved repudiation of the vandalism that occurred over the weekend.”

“There is no excuse or justification for the defacement any public property, let alone a school and statue designed to honour one of history’s most recognized advocates for freedom,” he said.

“This inexcusable act of vandalism is in no way emblematic of the vast majority of residents of our region, and it is exceptionally disappointing to see this type of activity continue to occur more than 150 years after the end of slavery in the United States. It is disheartening to know that anyone would conduct themselves in such a destructive and vicious manner.”

Bradley said the “the cowardly individuals” who carried out the vandalism will not have any lasting impact on Tubman’s legacy.

“I can take some satisfaction in knowing that Harriet Tubman will continue to stand as icon of courage and freedom, serving as an inspiration to millions nearly 110 years after her death,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bush said a new bust of Harriet Tubman to replace the one that was damaged last fall is now complete and has arrived at the church, awaiting an unveiling ceremony tentatively planned for June 30. The new bust was created by artist Frank Rekrut, a former St. Catharines resident who now lives in Florence, Italy, who also created the statue of Tubman at the school that bears her name.

The Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association encouraged people to attend a Niagara Falls Anti-Racism Advisory Committee event at 6:30 p.m., June 27, at the Niagara Falls History Museum, featuring Barbara Perry — an Ontario Tech University professor who will speak about right-wing extremism in Canada and how local communities can faced down hate at home.

Allan Benner is a St. Catharines-based reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: allan.benner@niagaradailies.com

Supports for emotional well-being

A statement District School Board of Niagara education director Warren Hoshizaki included a list of resources for people struggling in the wake of vandalism at Harriet Tubman School in St. Catharines.

• Pathstone Mental Health Crisis and Support Line/Walk-In Clinics – (1-800-263-4944)

• COAST - (1-866-55-5205)

• Kids Help Phone – (1-800-668-6868)

• Canadian Mental Health Association Niagara - (905-641-5222) - ages 16+

• Youth Wellness Hub Niagara – (905-229-9946) – ages 12-25

• Harriet’s Youth Support Line – (1-877-695-2673) is a 24-hour emergency / crisis response line for African, Caribbean, and Black youth. Text messaging is available for young people who do not feel like speaking to someone, but are still in need of help.

• Black Youth Helpline – (416-285-9944/1-833-294-8650) serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service

• Contact Niagara – (905-684-3407) – intake for many public children’s mental health services

• Niagara Falls Community Health Centre – (905-356-4222) advocating and assisting with barriers and tough conversations and connecting individuals with community resources and access to health care

• Quest Community Health Centre – (905-688-2558) provides primary health care services to individuals who experience barriers to accessing health care, including sexually and gender diverse communities

(List compiled by DSBN)

Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association denounces candidate non-responses (Niagara Falls Review)

(https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/2022/05/27/niagara-region-anti-racism-association-denounces-candidate-non-responses.html)

Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association denounces candidate non-responses

Five-question survey sent to all candidates only answered by five, association says

By Karena WalterStandard Reporter

Fri., May 27, 2022timer3 min. read

updateArticle was updated May. 29, 2022

Where do Niagara’s provincial candidates stand on issues related to racism?

That’s something members of Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association wanted to know, but their questions were met with a lot of non-responses.

The association denounced candidates and campaigns Friday for failing to demonstrate they take racism seriously after less than 20 per cent of Niagara’s candidates answered a five-question survey about their party’s policies.

“How can they say they’re concerned about racism if they’re not even bothering to answer a short questionnaire or even touching on some of the provincial issues that have to do with systemic racism?” asked Saleh Waziruddin, a member of the association’s executive committee.

Waziruddin said the association reached out to all candidates in Niagara’s four ridings with five questions on May 11. Candidates had until May 18 to respond.

Emails were sent to candidates’ individual campaigns for Progressive Conservative, Liberal, New Democratic, Communist, Libertarian and None of the Above parties. Where there were no individual campaign email addresses, he said emails were sent to party email accounts for the Green, New Blue, Ontario and Ontario Alliance parties.

Waziruddin said the association followed up with phone calls on May 16 to PC, Liberal, NDP and Libertarian candidates, spoke with staff of some candidates and even reached out to a candidate on Facebook.

In the end, it received five candidate responses — three NDP, one Communist and one None of the Above.

There are 30 candidates running in Niagara.

“Some of the responses were pretty impressive in that it seemed some of the candidates were pretty aware of the issues and really up to speed on it, but that makes me wonder even more about the ones that didn’t respond,” Waziruddin said.

“They must be really lagging if they can’t even bother with a short questionnaire and were given plenty of time to answer it.”

Waziruddin said the association kept the questionnaire short because it knew the campaigns had limited resources. Members discussed the issues and came up with five questions they thought would help differentiate between the various candidates.

They included whether or not the candidate believes there is systemic racism in Niagara and what action they would take as an MPP to concretely reduce racism.

Questions also asked for their positions on diversity in constituency staff, funding for the Ontario Anti-Racism Directorate and what type of resolution they would support for the 1492 Land Back Lane dispute in Caledonia.

Waziruddin said he figured some candidates might give short answers, but the sheer lack of responses was surprising.

“I think some of the campaigns didn’t even bother looking at it, frankly.”

While there’s been some discussion about racism during the provincial campaign, he said major issues, such as funding for the anti-racism directorate, haven’t been brought up at debates or on the campaign trail.

He’s hoping to see a better response during the municipal election as the association is planning on engaging with local candidates about their positions.

The association’s provincial candidate questionnaire, the responses received and a grading of those responses is available to read at nrara.org.

“I think all the voters and people living in Niagara should look carefully at seeing which of the candidates didn’t even respond and also look at the responses to see where they stand on key issues,” Waziruddin said.

Karena Walter is a St. Catharines-based reporter, primarily covering city hall for the Standard. Reach her via email: karena.walter@niagaradailies.com

Regional council takes a stand on Russia (St. Catharines Standard)

https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/nd/news/council/2022/05/20/regional-council-takes-a-stand-on-russia.html 

Regional council takes a stand on Russia

Councillors vote unanimously to sanction themselves in a voluntary move to support Ukraine as it battles a Russian invasion

By Bill SawchukStandard Reporter

Fri., May 20, 2022timer3 min. read

updateArticle was updated May. 23, 2022

Niagara Region councillors voted unanimously to sanction themselves in a voluntary move to support Ukraine as it battles the Russian invasion.

Council passed Wainfleet Mayor Kevin Gibson’s motion to send correspondence to the consulate general of the Russian Federation with the names of the regional councillors who have indicated their support to be voluntarily sanctioned, resulting in their “indefinite” ban from entering Russia.

Russia has put numerous members of Parliament and other Canadians in leadership positions at various organizations on a “stop list” or “black list” of foreigners that will be denied entry to the Russian Federation because Canada supports Ukraine.

Regional councillors would be voluntarily joining those who have been sanctioned.

“I would like to ask you to be thoughtful and purposeful before you ask to have your name placed on that list,” Gibson said. “You’re not going to stop in Russia for the rest of your life. If your plane gets diverted to Russia, you may have some difficulties. So please consider it carefully. I spoke with my family. We talked about it, and I decided that I was going to do this regardless.”

Councillors have until the end of the business day on May 30 to tell the clerk whether they want to be included on the list.

Irene Newton, Ukrainian Canadian Congress Ukrainian Branch, said the move is symbolic support for Ukrainians.

“I will call it a genocide, because that is what it is at this point,” Newton said. “It is not just a war. It is to try to annihilate the entire country, the people, the land, and grab what they can. I would love to put myself on that sanction list.”

Newton said her more significant concern is what Niagarans can do for the people fleeing and who are coming into Canada now. She said the refugees were coming to large cities such as Toronto, but Niagara also saw an increase in those heading here.

“I have had more and more in the last two weeks than I can handle,” Newton said. “We are literally jumping from one load to another, trying to find housing, trying to find accommodations. I can pretty much find jobs for most of them, but I cannot find a place for them to live right now. So trying to get housing is crucial for us right now.”

West Lincoln Dave Bylsma eventually supported Gibson’s motion but didn’t like the word “unjustifiable invasion” and asked Gibson if he wanted to remove it. The Wainfleet mayor responded with a terse, “I do not.”

Bylsma said he couldn’t be sure the invasion was “unjustifiable” because it was an adjective, and he didn’t know if the media is slanting the coverage.

“If we just say we denounce Russia’s invasion, I would be much more comfortable,” Bylsma said. “I don’t always know if it is unjustifiable or if it was an act of defence.”

St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik followed Bylsma, saying it was an absolutely unjustifiable invasion of a sovereign nation of Ukraine.

“I want to thank Mayor Gibson for bringing this forward,” Sendzik said. “While some may think that this doesn’t mean a lot, I can honestly tell you from my friends and family of Ukrainian descent that this means a considerable amount. Slava Ukraini.”

Saleh Waziruddin of the Communist Party of Canada said the resolution would do nothing to hurt the Russian government or to hold back the war destruction in Ukraine.

“Other than Niagara Falls, those in the Russian government have probably never even heard of the other 11 municipalities in Niagara,” Waziruddin said. “It’s a completely meaningless sacrifice.”

“What this resolution does do is it needlessly escalate tensions. The horrible situation in Ukraine needs to be resolved through a political settlement and peacefully. Escalating this war through pointless performances is ultimately irresponsible and very dangerous.”

Bill Sawchuk is a St. Catharines-based reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: william.sawchuk@niagaradailies.com