Proposal for Sackville, New Brunswick Town Council
Preamble
Given that recent events in the US, including the executive orders known as the “Muslim Ban” and legislation that will limit the rights of LGBTQ people, among others, have had a palpable effect on many Sackville Citizens,
In agreement with our Prime Minister’s declaration that Canada will welcome “those fleeing persecution, terror & war”, and that “diversity is our strength”,
In light of the celebrations for Canada 150 (+), and the support for recognition that Sackville stands on Mi’kmaq and Maliseet territory, and our desire to be a town that celebrates and honours our aboriginal citizens,
In resistance to the horrific act of anti-Islamic violence that took the lives of six beloved community members in Quebec on January 29, 2017,
In honour of the incredible work this community has done to sponsor and welcome refugee families,
In celebration of the diversity of citizens already in this community, representing a range of religious, cultural, and ethnic traditions, as well as sexual and gender identities, already recognized through the Town’s involvement in activities such as Pride Week and Multicultural activities,
In support and recognition that many members of our community already live with a sense of fear as a result of intolerance and expressions of prejudice (most recently represented by the creation of a swastika in the snow of Alumni Field),
With the conviction that it is crucial that we speak out with the explicit message that racism, prejudice, and hate will not be tolerated,
And in the spirit of looking forward to create the sort of community we want to have into the future,
We are requesting that the Town of Sackville make an explicit and formal declaration of our town as a place of welcome, sanctuary, and solidarity for our diverse and changing (hopefully growing!) population.
Suggested wording:
The Town of Sackville publicly declares that we are a town of welcome, safety, and solidarity for those locally and around the world, that we value and celebrate diversity and deplore expressions of racism, prejudice, and hate as we are dedicated to ensuring that this is a safe space now and into the future.
This declaration is an explicit statement of welcome to people of all personal characteristics, including, but not limited to, those protected by the New Brunswick Human Rights Act[1]. We offer our welcome and support to all people, regardless of age, socio-economic status, social condition, political belief or activity, immigration status, marital status, sexuality, sex, gender identity, physical ability, intellectual ability, mental health status, religion, race, ancestry, place of origin, cultural, or ethnic identity.
[1] The New Brunswick Human Rights Act currently protects against discrimination regarding the following personal characteristics: age, marital status, religion, physical disability, mental disability, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, national origin, social condition, political belief or activity, sexual orientation and sex, including pregnancy (and gender identity).
This document was conceived by Shoshanna Wingate, Leah Huff, and B. Glenn Copeland. It was beautifully crafted and written by Leah Huff.
Given that recent events in the US, including the executive orders known as the “Muslim Ban” and legislation that will limit the rights of LGBTQ people, among others, have had a palpable effect on many Sackville Citizens,
In agreement with our Prime Minister’s declaration that Canada will welcome “those fleeing persecution, terror & war”, and that “diversity is our strength”,
In light of the celebrations for Canada 150 (+), and the support for recognition that Sackville stands on Mi’kmaq and Maliseet territory, and our desire to be a town that celebrates and honours our aboriginal citizens,
In resistance to the horrific act of anti-Islamic violence that took the lives of six beloved community members in Quebec on January 29, 2017,
In honour of the incredible work this community has done to sponsor and welcome refugee families,
In celebration of the diversity of citizens already in this community, representing a range of religious, cultural, and ethnic traditions, as well as sexual and gender identities, already recognized through the Town’s involvement in activities such as Pride Week and Multicultural activities,
In support and recognition that many members of our community already live with a sense of fear as a result of intolerance and expressions of prejudice (most recently represented by the creation of a swastika in the snow of Alumni Field),
With the conviction that it is crucial that we speak out with the explicit message that racism, prejudice, and hate will not be tolerated,
And in the spirit of looking forward to create the sort of community we want to have into the future,
We are requesting that the Town of Sackville make an explicit and formal declaration of our town as a place of welcome, sanctuary, and solidarity for our diverse and changing (hopefully growing!) population.
Suggested wording:
The Town of Sackville publicly declares that we are a town of welcome, safety, and solidarity for those locally and around the world, that we value and celebrate diversity and deplore expressions of racism, prejudice, and hate as we are dedicated to ensuring that this is a safe space now and into the future.
This declaration is an explicit statement of welcome to people of all personal characteristics, including, but not limited to, those protected by the New Brunswick Human Rights Act[1]. We offer our welcome and support to all people, regardless of age, socio-economic status, social condition, political belief or activity, immigration status, marital status, sexuality, sex, gender identity, physical ability, intellectual ability, mental health status, religion, race, ancestry, place of origin, cultural, or ethnic identity.
[1] The New Brunswick Human Rights Act currently protects against discrimination regarding the following personal characteristics: age, marital status, religion, physical disability, mental disability, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, national origin, social condition, political belief or activity, sexual orientation and sex, including pregnancy (and gender identity).
This document was conceived by Shoshanna Wingate, Leah Huff, and B. Glenn Copeland. It was beautifully crafted and written by Leah Huff.
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