Mayor Don Darling speaks to reporters after a meeting of common council. (Image: Danielle McCreadie)
Saint John’s mayor is hoping a local initiative will lead to racism becoming a punishable offence nation-wide.
Don Darling will introduce a motion to city council Monday that would look at ways to enforce action against racism, and to push provincial and federal governments to create legislation that outlaws racial discrimination.
In a statement issued by the city, Darling said something this important should be protected by the law.
“It’s up to all of us to do everything we can to protect everyone in our society, especially those most vulnerable,” Darling said. “We will be judged now and by history on what tangible action we take following the Black Lives Matter movement, and I believe this is a good start.”
A presentation by Dr. Timothy Christie will accompany the motion. This follows a speech given by Dr. Timothy Christie at June’s Black Lives Matter rally in King’s Square.
Christie said that while it’s “illegal to fish without a fishing license, acts of racism go unpunished.”
The Saint John Black Lives Matter Movement supports the motion, and in a statement wrote that they would actively work to push laws through federally or provincially.
