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Canadians 'can't pretend racism doesn't exist here': Trudeau on Floyd protests

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has again addressed the protests and riots taking place south of the border following the death of a man in police custody

He said that he is aware the “images and stories” coming out of the US in the wake of the death of George Floyd are “all too familiar.”

But he added that Canadians “can’t pretend that racism doesn’t exist here.”

“Anti-black racism is real, unconscious bias is real and systemic discrimination is real, and they happen here in Canada,” he explained.

<who> Photo credit: File

Floyd, who was black, died after being held down by a police officer in Minneapolis last Monday.

The officer has been charged with third-degree murder.

“Over the weekend, we saw thousands of people gather across the country to join peaceful protests against anti-black racism,” Trudeau said.

“By standing together and denouncing the few who would try to derail these demonstrations, Canadians are sending the message that they will never tolerate injustice.”

There have been demonstrations in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, with 11 arrests made in the latter.

“To young black Canadians: I hear you when you say you are anxious and angry, when you say that this brings back painful experiences of racism that you’ve faced,” the prime minister said.

“I want you to know that I'm listening and that your government will always stand with you.

“Together, we will keep taking meaningful action to fight racism and discrimination in every form.”

Trudeau also said that the “status quo,” which he said was such that “people face violence because of the colour of their skin,” is not acceptable.

“No parent should have to once again explain to their kids that they or their friends might face racism,” he said.

“It is time, it is past time, for this to change.”

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, meanwhile, is proposing a slew of measures including better data on carding and more training for police officers to combat systemic racism in Canada.

An emotional Singh, who has previously spoken of his own experiences dealing with racism as a practising Sikh, said he is angry over Floyd’s death but that Canada has its own problems that need to be addressed.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer also spoke this morning about the protests in the US, saying he was heartbroken by Floyd’s death and that no one should have to live in fear of the police.

Scheer said all levels of government have much more to do when it comes to addressing racism in Canada.

The protests in the US have proven extremely polarizing, with those on the left and right of the political spectrum attacking each other on social media and elsewhere.

– With files from the Canadian Press


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