Ontario NDP marks Black History Month

Incoming Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles released the following statement to mark the start of Black History Month:

“Together with the entire Ontario NDP Caucus, we mark the start of Black History Month by honouring and celebrating the social, cultural, and political contributions of Black Ontarians.

As we take part in Black History Month events and commemorations, we also acknowledge that much more needs to be done to achieve equity for Black Ontarians.

New Democrats acknowledge that anti-Black racism is endemic in our society, and we commit to the continuing work of dismantling it. It starts with listening to Black Ontarians, and we join the call for the provincial government to take real action: to end incidents of police violence so painfully recalled in the wake of the death of Tyre Nichols in Tennessee, to address anti-Black racism in our schools and to acknowledge it as a public health crisis.

Fighting to eliminate systemic racism in our province will ensure that along with celebrating the proud and vibrant history of Black Ontarians, we can celebrate an even brighter future.”