Public invited to march to end racial discrimination

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

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On Tuesday, Mar. 21, dubbed the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, community members are invited to come together and celebrate diversity while also building a more inclusive and just community.

“The elimination of racism is an important goal that we all need to keep striving to attain,” said Mayor Christian Provenzano. “I’m pleased to be taking part in the local observance on Mar. 21 and I’d like to thank all of the community partners for their work and initiative to organize the day’s events.”

Events are scheduled throughout the day that will provide a variety of ways in which members of the community can share their experiences and perspectives, with the objective of building a sense of community and promoting positive dialogues.

“Mar. 21 marks the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,” said Dr. Richard McCutcheon, Academic Dean of Algoma U.

“I’m very pleased that the University as well as various community partners have come together to provide leadership and raise awareness of this important concern. This opportunity for a renewed commitment to take action individually and collectively is an important step toward building a more inclusive university and, more broadly, Sault Ste. Marie community.” 

The following events are being sponsored by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma University, the Algoma University Students’ Union (AUSU), the Art Gallery of Algoma (AGA), the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), Sault College, the Sault Community Career Centre, and the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library.

A full of list events for Mar. 21 is below:

Unity Walk at the Sault Ste. Marie Courthouse: 11 a.m.

Members of the community will join together and walk from the front steps of the Sault Ste. Marie Courthouse to City Hall to demonstrate their commitment to ending racial discrimination.

Address by Mayor Provenzano and Guests at City Hall: 12:15 p.m.

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano as well as other distinguished guests will deliver an address on the City Hall steps about the importance of diversity and eliminating racial discrimination within the community.

Art is a Universal Language at the Art Gallery of Algoma: 1 p.m.

The Art Gallery of Algoma will be hosting Art is a Universal Language, which will feature exhibition tours, an Art Around the World map, and hands-on crafts from various cultures. Refreshments will be served, courtesy of the Local Immigration Partnership.

Let’s ERAD (Eliminate Racism and Discrimination by Celebrating Diversity) at Sault College: 2 p.m.

Sault College’s Let’s ERAD (Eliminate Racism and Discrimination by Celebrating Diversity) event will take place from 2 p.m – 4 p.m. in the Common Link. Booths will be on display showing the various groups that live within Sault Ste. Marie and study at Sault College, including: the indigenous community, QSA community, and several international communities. The afternoon will be filled with entertainment from different groups and refreshments will be available.

Embracing Community and Respect at Algoma University: 5 p.m.

Algoma University will be hosting a panel discussion with the community in the Great West Life Amphitheatre. Panelists will include Algoma University Board of Governors Chair Asima Vezina, Jane Omollo and Saira Anjum with the Sault Community Career Centre, as well as student representatives. Entertainment and refreshments will follow in the Speakeasy featuring Trevor Tchir.

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