Anti-racism demonstration planned for Penticton

A Penticton resident hopes to build education and awareness about racism with a Black, Indigenous People of Colour protest in the city next weekend.

The gathering is being planned by Autumn Joy Vickers, who hopes to build on numerous demonstrations, protests, marches and activism currently taking place internationally as a result of the death of George Floyd while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

“It’s going pretty good, there is a lot of interest from people who want to attend,” Vickers says. “I know a lot of people of black or indigenous people of colour are attending, and I’m hoping a number of them will speak over a megaphone, just to share their stories, or any educational facts about what is going on with racism,” she says.

The rally is set for Gyro Park at noon on Sunday, June 7. Vickers is asking those attending to maintain social distancing, be respectful of the pandemic, and wear a mask if possible.

Vickers is calling for a peaceful campaign, asking those wishing to bring signage or placards to include educational facts about racism or hashtags related to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Another rally is proposed for Kamloops at Riverside Park June 4 at noon.

— The headline on this story was changed at 9:59 a.m. June 5. The original headline did not reflect the true nature of the demonstration

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.