“Enough is enough,” Kevin Hung said Sunday as people gathered on the steps of the B.C. legislature to oppose racism against Asians.
“I want to encourage everybody to speak up for yourself,” Hung told the anti-hate rally. “Asians are very proud. It’s okay to admit that we’re hurt. This past year, we have taken so much hate that has nothing to do with us. They needed a scapegoat and it was us. So please speak up. Let people know it’s not okay. … Racism against anyone, of any race, has to stop.”
About 100 people — men, women and children — braved cold rain and strong winds to protest discrimination against Asian people. They also gathered to mourn the victims of the March 16 Atlanta shootings; six of the victims were identified as Asian women. Similar rallies were held in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Many participants carried signs that said, “Stop Asian Hate.”
One man carried a sign that said, “Hate is the new Virus.”
It’s very tough for Asians to speak up against the racism issues that have targeted us, said Hung.
“It’s not in our culture to talk about things like this. I think since we’re here in this multicultural country we should be able to talk about our feelings and what is okay and what’s not,” he said.
Michael Bloomfield came to the rally to support Asian neighbours and friends.
“We’re all in this together,” said Bloomfield, who spoke on behalf of the Jewish community.
“We either ensure everyone is treated with respect and included, or no one can live in peace and safety. We’ve seen this around the world over and over again. We stand up for each other, not just for ourselves. That’s why I am here today.”
Bloomfield’s sign said, “Embrace Diversity.”
“We have to learn to embrace diversity, not fear it,” he said. “You can’t be passive about it. You have to stand up. All decent people must stand together against any form of discrimination against anyone, of any race.”
Rose Cortez, a Filipino-Canadian theatre artist and yoga teacher, said the shootings in Atlanta, the protests by Indigenous youth and the Black Lives Matter movement have amplified her experience of racism. “That’s why I am here.” She said she has been affected by racism all her life.
“It’s ongoing. It’s more like covert racism that happens underneath that you don’t really realize. We brushed off over the years, because we’re so used to not amplifying anything. We just want to do our work and our job.”
