Facebook racism confronted with 'We Are One' rally in Thunder Bay
Confederation College students organize event to stand against online racism
A group of students at Confederation College rallied the broader community to stand up against racism in Thunder Bay on Wednesday after a series of offensive Facebook pages popped up in the city.
Ashley Nurmela pitched the idea of a silent 'We Are One' protest to her colleagues in the Native Child and Family Services class last month. The group printed T-shirts and invited others to join the event at noon on Wednesday.
The event comes after Thunder Bay police launched an investigation on March 20 into what police say is "extreme racism" against Aboriginal Peoples in postings on several Facebook pages that appear to originate in the city.
Back of the 'Stand Up' to racism t-shirt being sported in advance of 12 rally <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tbayunity?src=hash">#tbayunity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbctb?src=hash">#cbctb</a> <a href="http://t.co/bShKZAIHFS">pic.twitter.com/bShKZAIHFS</a>
—@cbcreporterTyler Robinson takes part in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tbayunity?src=hash">#tbayunity</a> rally b/c he says racism on Facebook is hurtful <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbctb?src=hash">#cbctb</a> <a href="http://t.co/gFvBhNSkTj">pic.twitter.com/gFvBhNSkTj</a>
—@cbcreporterOrganizer Ashley Nurmela says event is a "respectful response" to Facebook racism <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tbayunity?src=hash">#tbayunity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbctb?src=hash">#cbctb</a> <a href="http://t.co/ga8jEqft96">pic.twitter.com/ga8jEqft96</a>
—@cbcreporter'I'm ashamed to be mayor of this city right now with all the racism rearing its ugly head' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tbay?src=hash">#tbay</a> Mayor Keith Hobbs <a href="http://t.co/WtiIbe3xJ0">pic.twitter.com/WtiIbe3xJ0</a>
—@cbcreporter'We didn't want to start a Facebook war' organized Ashley Nurmela says of silent protest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tbayunity?src=hash">#tbayunity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbctb?src=hash">#cbctb</a> <a href="http://t.co/fYsKjF43MD">pic.twitter.com/fYsKjF43MD</a>
—@cbcreporterMartin McKay says he learned today how peaceful non-violent action is the best response to racism <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcunity?src=hash">#cbcunity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbctb?src=hash">#cbctb</a> <a href="http://t.co/X5K4aU8UqW">pic.twitter.com/X5K4aU8UqW</a>
—@cbcreporter