BC NDP caucus retreat faces protests, demands for Selina Robinson’s removal as she issues new apology
Posted February 5, 2024 7:01 am.
Last Updated February 6, 2024 2:14 am.
B.C. Minister of Post Secondary Education is facing continued pressure to resign, as more protests were planned Monday, calling for her removal from government.
BC NDP MLAs have been told they are not welcome at a group of mosques until Premier David Eby takes action to remove Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson from government.
Representatives from 18 mosques and Islamic associations in the province wrote an open letter to Eby, calling on him to fire Robinson from caucus for her recent comments, calling Palestine a “crappy piece of land with nothing on it” on which Israel was founded.
“If the B.C. government is serious about inclusivity, anti-racism, and discrimination in our province, we demand Selina Robinson’s resignation,” the letter stated.
“We are happy to discuss this with you, only after you have taken restitutive action that acknowledges the deep hurt in our communities and is reflective of our values as an equitable and inclusive B.C. society. Until then, we will not be engaging in any dialogue or welcoming any NDP MLAs or candidates into our sacred spaces.”
A protest was planned for Monday morning outside an NDP caucus retreat at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in Surrey.
Organizers presented a petition they say has 11,000 signatures demanding “Selina must go” and offering what they call “Palestinian History 101” for Robinson and “any other BC NDP caucus member who needs to brush up on basic facts.”
Since Robinson made the “crappy piece of land” comments as part of an online panel discussion last week, she has faced heavy criticism and pressure to resign.
The BC Civil Liberties Association, the Palestinian-Canadian Academics and Artists Network, the Faculty for Palestine, the Jewish Faculty Network, and the JFN at the University of British Columbia are just some of the organizations calling for her to leave her post.
A petition has also surfaced online, calling for NDP supporters and members to hold the party accountable and “to take action towards consequences for Minister Robinson.”
Robinson issues new apology on land comments
On Monday morning, Robinson released a much fuller apology than a previous one she made on social media, saying she is “very sorry. I bear full responsibility.”
“My words were inappropriate, wrong, and I now understand how they have contributed to Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.
“During a time of crisis when many innocent people are being killed, including Palestinians and Jews with family in British Columbia, those in positions of power have a responsibility to bring people together. My comments, however, did the opposite and contributed to further division.
“I know that my comments have additionally caused pain, including among Indigenous communities, for perpetuating harmful narratives of colonialism. The experiences of First Nations people are not mine to manipulate. That was wrong and I am deeply sorry,” she said.
Robinson went on to say that she is grateful to those who have reached out to her and “expressed to me their feelings of pain, anger, sorrow and outrage. All of it is valid.”
“I also know that there will be those who are not willing to speak with me. I have broken the trust of many, including friends and allies. It is fair for them to not want to engage with me, I know I will have to earn back their trust.
“I am committed to learning from this significant mistake. To that end, I will be taking part in anti-Islamophobia training to more deeply understand the concerns that have been expressed to me,” she continued. “I am committed to making amends, learning from the pain I have caused and doing whatever I can to rebuild relationships.”
“I am sorry. I will do better.”
The protests Monday come as the NDP cancelled its fundraiser in Surrey Sunday evening.
According to Heather Libby of the BC NDP, the reason for the cancellation was timing.
“We heard from the community that it is not the time for a celebratory event,” she said in a statement to CityNews. “We have some work to do. We look forward to rescheduling the event soon. “
