Anti-Racism Campaign launched

Kingston Task Force launches Anti-Racism Campaign

A coalition of community members, including municipal, institutional, educational, and business leaders, has united to tackle the growing issue of racism in Kingston.

The Anti-Racism Working Group (ARTF) has launched the "Anti-racist Kingston" campaign, aimed at raising awareness and encouraging action against racist incidents in the area.

Co-chaired by local business owner and community volunteer Aba Mortley, retired United Way KFL&A head Bhavana Varma, and Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson, the task force has been actively engaging with community partners over the past year. The campaign responds to a noticeable rise in racist incidents, particularly affecting new migrants and international students.

“With the increasing numbers of new migrants and international students in Kingston, there has also been an increase in the number of hate and racist incidents,” Mortley noted. “We believe that many residents in Kingston and area may not be aware of these occurrences. The fact is that they are happening, and if we all know better, we can all do better to make Kingston a better place.”

The campaign features an awareness initiative designed to support victims of racism and equip bystanders with the tools to intervene. Created by BmDodo Strategic Design, the campaign uses stickers and videos to depict the cumulative burdens faced by racialized individuals, based on real experiences collected through a community survey.

The survey, which gathered over 100 responses, revealed that 40.7% of respondents have personally experienced racism, while 19.8% have witnessed it. The campaign's visual elements, displayed on Kingston Transit buses, posters, and social media, reflect Kingston's racial diversity and the unique challenges faced by various age groups.

Dr. Deji Ayonrinde, a psychiatrist at Queen’s University and Providence Care, emphasized the campaign's importance: “Kingston is a beautiful, increasingly diverse, and welcoming city with the best of our humanity on display every day. Experiences of racism have a direct impact on both, physical and mental health, as well as our overall wellbeing. Our collective awareness, actions, and shared community spirit can greatly enhance our collective wellbeing.”

Residents are encouraged to visit the campaign's website to learn how they can contribute to making Kingston a more inclusive and safe community.