With rage, grief and resolve

Details: Published on Tuesday, 19 March 2019 09:26; Written by editor

Dear friends,

After these last few days, I’m feeling a mixture of rage, grief, and resolve. The news of Friday’s horrific Mosque attack in New Zealand, which claimed 50 lives, shook me to the core. 50 lives. 50 families abruptly and irreversibly altered.

As a member of the Muslim community, the rise of Islamophobia and white supremacy over the last few years weighs heavy on my heart. Each racist attack tries to instill fear in our communities. The attacker in Christchurch, New Zealand wrote the name of the Quebec mosque shooter on his weapon and his anti-immigrant manifesto closely mirrored the vitriol spouted by vocal white supremacists, and even some politicians, in Canada.

Friday’s tragedy affirmed for me that in our fight for climate justice, we must confront this rise... of racism. We know that climate change impacts black, Indigenous and people colour -- particularly in the global south -- first and hardest. And, we know that in Canada, and around the globe, the same political forces defending fossil fuels are also escalating attacks on migrants and refugees. There is no justice for our planet without justice for people.

Lighting candles and praying in a mosque full of grieving community members on Friday evening reminded me about the collective power we hold when we stand united in fierce love with a shared commitment to building a better future.

This Thursday, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, I hope this message reaches thousands of others. Our friends with Migrant Rights Network are coordinating actions across the country. Find one near you or sign up to host one.

Fear about the future is not my position. It’s hope. Hope about what we can save and do. That’s why last Friday also filled me with hope. There was something extraordinary and remarkable about seeing over 1.5 million people, mostly teenagers and children, from Nepal to Uganda, from Germany to Columbia, in big cities, small towns, and rural communities, join a global school strike calling for urgent action on climate change.

The student strikes may just be the largest global climate mobilization ever -- and they are a tribute to the fact that even in the most devastating circumstances, beauty arises from unity and love.

Let’s demonstrate that kind of power again on Thursday March 21st. Will you join the mobilizations across Canada for the Day to Eliminate Racism?

To stand together in the fight against climate change, we must also stand together in the fight against racism. To win a Green New Deal for Canada that tackles economic, social and environmental crises together, we have to confront white supremacy and Islamophobia. Take action with me on Thursday March 21st for the Day to Eliminate Racism.

In solidarity and strength,

Atiya

References & Resources

1 - The stories of the victims in Christchurch - "Christchurch Mosque Shootings: Who were the victims?"

2 - What do we mean when we say white supremacy is on the rise globally? - "White Supremacy is on the march, and Trump is at least partly to blame"

3 - Which Canadian politicians are spouting white supremacist rhetoric? - "Why won’t Maxime Bernier denounce the Terror attack in Christchurch?"

4 - How is the fight for climate action connected to anti-racism and migrant rights? -
"Dear Prime Minister Trudeau: Our Survival is Non-Negotiable"

5 - Youth Climate Strikes around the world - "Photos: Kids in 123 countries went on strike to protect the climate"

6 - Youth Climate Strikes in Canada - "160,000+ Students across Canada strike for climate"

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