World News
Vancouver Asian Film Festival launches anti-racism video campaign in wake of rising hate crimes
Hate crimes against Vancouver’s Asian communities have increased since the early days of the outbreak and the #Elimin8hate campaign is an effort to combat that and comfort victims.Anti-Asian aggression has risen across North America during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new online video campaign launched in Vancouver aims to shine a spotlight on the problem. (Steven…
Hate crimes against Vancouver's Asian communities have increased since the early days of the outbreak and the #Elimin8hate campaign is an effort to combat that and comfort victims.
Hate crimes against Vancouver's Asian communities have increased since the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak and organizers of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival are trying to shine a spotlight on the problem with an online video campaign.
For the #Elimin8hate campaign, organizers are asking celebrities, filmmakers and the public to make their own 60 second public service announcement that tells a personal story about experiencing anti-Asian racism, or that educates others about the problem.
“We wanted to let people know they are not alone,” said Barbara Lee, festival president, on The Early Edition Friday.
Those videos are being compiled on the campaign website. The first video features actor Ludi Lin, also known as the Black Ranger in the 2017 Power Rangers reboot who will also star in next year's Mortal Kombat reboot.
People can go to the website to file a report if they have been the victim of a hate act. Lee said that data and information will be used to help police and community groups combat the problem.
As of May 6, the Vancouver Police Department said 20 anti-Asian hate crimes have been reported to police so far. In comparison, there were 12 anti-Asian hate crimes reported in all of 2019.
Some of the incidents include offensive graffiti on the Chinese Cultural Centre, a verbal and physical assault on an elderly man in a convenience store and another assault on an Asian woman on Granville Street.
And Lee worries the aggression could get worse when pandemic restrictions relax and people go out into society more. She hopes the campaign will help educate people.
“We are part of the Canadian fabric and we should not be blamed for this pandemic,” she said.
‘No place in our society'
Vancouver Coastal Health echoes Lee's sentiment.
In a statement, the health authority pointed out the COVID-19 virus does not discriminate and assumptions about who is infected can not be made based on cultural background.
“Such views have no basis in public health, and no place in our society,” said Vancouver Coastal Health.
Premier John Horgan also addressed the issue of increasing racism during a news conference Wednesday, saying the pandemic is not the time for finger pointing but a time to put differences aside and work together.
Anyone with a story or message to contribute to the #Elimin8hate campaign can find details about what to include in your video and how to participate here.
Subscribe to Centenunlimited news
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe
