‘If you see something, speak out’: Vancouver mayor decries racially-motivated crimes

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Vancouver’s mayor continues to denounce anyone committing racially-motivated acts of violence and vandalism, especially during this crisis.

Kennedy Stewart says he’s always been proud of his city for celebrating diversity, and that can’t stop now.

.@kennedystewart says no place for Anti-Asian violence/vandalism in #Vancouver.
“When we see incidents of racism and hatred, I think all of us reel and say this is not who we are.”
Since #COVID19 pandemic started, several suspected hate crimes reported to @VancouverPD. #vanpoli

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) May 1, 2020

“If you see something happening, speak out. And I think that’s the important thing, is that we all come together and act as one in this crisis, and always,” he says.

“It’s up for us to stand up as elected officials, but also for the public, to make sure we’re re-enforcing our celebration of diversity.”

Friday night, City Hall will be lit up in red to celebrate the start of Asian Heritage Month.

This comes as local police investigate several suspected hate crimes reported since the pandemic started.

RELATED: Vancouver Chinese Cultural Centre vandalized with racist graffiti

“So when we see incidences of racism and hatred, I think all of us reel and say, ‘This is not who we are,'” Stewart says, while noting police have taken extra measures in Vancouver’s Chinatown and other places where there have been these instances of racism.

Fifteen hate crimes were reported to police in April. Eleven of those reports had an anti-Asian element.

So far in 2020, there have been a total of 20 anti-Asian hate crimes reported to police. In comparison, there were 12 in all of 2019.

Stewart says now, more than ever, it’s important to understand we’re all equal.

-With files from Mike Hall and Tim James