March 21 - International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The Health and Racism Working Group was invited to partner with Interim Place to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD). On March 21, 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peacefull demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid 'pass laws'. The day was proclaimed in 1966 by the UN General Assembly, who called on the international community to redouble it's efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (www.un.org/depts/dhl/racial/).

At South Common Community Centre in Mississauga, people gathered to take part in the day's agenda; which included a formal request to the Region of Peel to officially proclaim the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for 2010 (The Region of Peel currently does not proclaim the day, and instead commented that it proclaims International Human Rights Day). Interim Place will be leading the proclamation request delivery to Region of Peel on April 2nd at 9:00am at the Regional council meeting. Details will be posted shortly and if you wish to sign the petition please contact Interim Place.

On behalf of the Health and Racism Working Group, Nicole introduced Body Mapping with help from Maimoona, and led the audience in a meditation on the violence of discrimination on our bodies. The audience took part in a Collective Body Mapping that allowed us to symbollically release any negative feelings, experiences or thoughts that we wanted to leave behind in order to make room for our resilience.

Many thanks to Anthony and Karen from the Peel Aboriginal Network who helped us open our day, and many thanks to Blakka Ellis, No One Is Illegal, and the Ngoma Dance Troupe for enligtening us with their many talents and passion.

BIG thank yous to all the HaR members who were present...you could feel our strength and support for each other.

See you next year!