Black Lives Matter protests reach northern BC, hit hard for First Nations
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PRINCE GEORGE — Protests are continuing in the United States and all over the world as people continue to stand against racism and police brutality toward black people. Those same feelings of unrest are being seen in our own backyard. In Prince George, people are speaking out about their experiences facing racism.
“From personal experience, being called the n-word, not receiving service when I’m with my family, it happens all the time,” explained Yemeema Eyob, hoping to bring awareness of the issue in Prince George. “Racism has been happening and micro-aggression has been happening all the time it’s just now being filmed and people are bringing more attention to it.”
Historically, racism and unjust brutality is something we know in Canada all too well. As people stand up in support of the black population, parallels are drawn to the similar hardships that has been faced by First Nations. Dr. Ross Hoffman, a First Nations Studies professor at UNBC, recalled, “in places like Prince George, Vanderhoof, Smithers, up until the early 1960s, restaurants had signs in the windows that said “No Indians Allowed”. We think of that as Southern America but the level of prejudice and racism was very open.”
In Burns Lake this week, a protest was held as well. The previously mentioned similarity to First Nations injustice was seen on some signs calling for justice for First Nations who died while in the presence of police. In Prince George, a peaceful protest will be held Friday in support of Black Lives Matter. It will be at City Hall at 2 p.m.
