Calgary is one step closer to an anti-racism strategy with the naming of the Anti-Racism Action Committee on Wednesday.
The committee is tasked with identifying systemic barriers to city programs and services, language barriers, ways to address structural racism on a community-wide level, as well as developing the community-based strategy.
“As we begin the difficult work of shifting our policies and systems towards being truly anti-racist, I am humbled by the number of Calgarians who put forward their names to help in that task,” Mayor Naheed Nenshi said in a statement. “It is the leadership of the community, of those who have been unheard for too long, that will establish the set of actions we can take to make sure that Calgary is a city for everyone.”
Monday, Nenshi said the city received 10 times the applications than spots available in the Aug. 11 to Sep. 11 window.
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The city was looking for members who had experience in anti-racism work and an understanding of human and civil rights. Being able to build relationships and community connections was also important.
Committee members will have a two-year term, or serve until the city adopts an anti-racism strategy.
The public members of the committee are:
- Nellie Alcaraz
- Sonia Aujla Bhullar
- Francis Boakye
- Eileen Clearsky
- Nyall DaBreo
- Sajjad Fazel
- Christine Giancarlo
- Kari Giddings
- Lisa Libin
- Rishi Nagar
- Anne-Marie Pham
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