“It is unacceptable”: Horgan addresses racist incidents in BC

On Sunday Premier John Horgan released a statement addressing the racist activity in BC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Horgan said everyone has a right to “live without fear of violence or discrimination” and called the recent stories of racism in the province “disturbing.”

And Horgan isn’t the only public figure speaking out.

On Friday, BC’s Multiculturalism Minister, Anne Kang, also released a statement to address the recent rise in crimes and assaults targeting the province’s Asian population.

Kang said that as someone who moved to Canada from Taiwan herself, she is “outraged that anyone would engage in acts of discrimination, hate or violence.”

• See also: 
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  • BC minister “cannot remain silent” about anti-Asian hate crimes
  • BC health officials report 21 new coronavirus cases, one additional death

Here is the full statement from the Premier:

“Everyone has a right to live without fear of violence or discrimination. Yet we are hearing disturbing stories of a rise in anti-Asian racist behaviour since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People are being targeted as they go about their daily lives. It is unacceptable. I have said it before: hate has no place in our province and it will not be tolerated. Our strength is in our diversity and we reject all forms of racism, discrimination, intolerance and bigotry.

“Racism is also a virus. Through challenging times, British Columbians must stay united. We are always stronger and more resilient as a province when we treat each other with kindness, generosity and respect. To do so, we must all stand together to call out racism and discrimination when we see it.”