Social justice means that everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and resources to live in safety and dignity. This means equitable access to housing, healthcare, justice, economic opportunity and security. We must defend the hard-won rights fought for by generations of activists, such as women and pregnant people’s reproductive choice and freedom. We must fight and eradicate the social stigmas faced by marginalized people, such as people who are part of the LBGTQ community, people who belong to gender minorities, people who live in poverty or people who struggle with substance use disorders. We must address systemic barriers that continue the perpetuation of colonialism, racism, ableism, ageism, misogyny, and all forms of oppression.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh always says that “when we lift each other up, we all rise.”
Nowhere is this statement more evident than in the riding of Vancouver East. The diversity and commitment to social justice of this riding attracts many of the country’s most innovative, creative, progressive and compassionate people to make Van East the place to work, to create art, to look for community, and to call home. Van East is living proof that by working to create a place that is safe for, and inclusive of the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our community, we create an incredible place where so many people want to live.
A coalition of Muslim organizations has joined calls for the resignation of B.C. Conservative campaign manager Katy Merrifield over past social media posts slamming Islam.
In June, Merrifield reposted a message on social media that said “Islam is a literal rape culture.” Merrifield quickly removed it and said the comment was a momentary lapse caused by her own past trauma.
But critics note she has not apologized for it, and has continued to amplify anti-Islamic statements on social media, including ones referring to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “jihad-loving mayor” and blaming Islam as a whole for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
On Tuesday, Musa Ismail, on behalf of Unified Muslim Associations in B.C. (UMABC), said party leader Lorne Doerkson should force Merrifield out.
Ismail said that, in the absence of action by Doerkson, no Conservative candidate is welcome at any Muslim centre or mosque during the B.C. election campaign.
UMABC joins the B.C. Muslim Association, NDP Leader David Eby, NDP Surrey City Centre candidate Amna Shah and Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan, among others, in calling for Merrifield to step down.
Kwan called Merrifield’s comments “deeply disturbing and unacceptable” and said the posts stigmatize all Muslims and send “a chilling message” to B.C.’s Muslim communities.
“At no point has Merrifield apologized or taken responsibility for the hurt she has caused,” Kwan said in a statement. “Muslims are not collectively responsible for the actions of extremists, and no one should have to fear discrimination or hostility because of their faith.”
Doerkson did not address calls for Merrifield’s resignation in his public appearances in recent days.
