Richmond city Coun. Chak Au wants council to take a stand against racism.
He has penned a statement that he hopes will be endorsed by council at Tuesday’s committee meeting, stating that the City of Richmond doesn’t “condone or tolerate racist behavior in any form.”
Au pointed out there has been a rise in hate crimes and violence both in the Lower Mainland and across the country recently, which needs to be combatted.
“This is a very big concern and why I think we should raise our voice,” he said.
A recent incident in Steveston whereby a woman of Chinese ethnicity alleged a man hurled racial slurs at her and her mother and revved his car at them was reported to police and investigated. While the man apologized and the woman said she accepted the apology, it is still unclear whether the police will go ahead and recommend charges.
Other incidents of racism against Chinese people in light of the COVID-19 pandemic – which originated in Wuhan, China – have been reported in the Lower Mainland.
Au said he was encouraged by recent statements by provincial politicians against racism, including a statement by the premier, John Horgan, on Sunday.
Au’s statement continues that “we must stand together and be true to our shared values of diversity, inclusion and respect. Racial and discriminatory responses and actions have no place in Richmond. They have no place in our society.”
