Jan. 20, 2022
B’nai Brith Canada is delighted with the results of a national event it organized this week in which leaders from across the country met virtually for a multicultural forum that focused on combating hate with a united front.
The forum, held Wednesday night, attracted about 250 attendees, mostly human-rights activists from Canada’s political, social, cultural, educational, and advocacy spheres. Representatives from Jamaican, Grenadian, Tamil, Bangladeshi, Filipino, Chinese, Hong Kong, Iranian, Azerbaijani and other minority Canadian communities shared insight and challenges they face.
Marvin Rotrand organized and moderated the forum on behalf of B’nai Brith Canada’s advocacy arm, the League for Human Rights, of which he is National Director. Noted speakers included: Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Office of B’nai Brith Canada; Ambassador of the Philippines to Canada Rodolfo Robles; Member of the National Assembly of Quebec David Birnbaum; Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi; Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown; Toronto Councillor James Pasternak; Winnipeg Councillor Kevin Klein, and Montreal Councillor Sonny Moroz.
“We are very pleased with the success of B’nai Brith’s multicultural forum,” Rotrand said. “Our organization has now established a network of concerned community groups that we believe will inspire the Government to take action in eradicating hatred, particularly online.
“Canadians, no matter their background, should be able to interact and operate in a society free from bigotry, racism, antisemitism and other prejudices. B’nai Brith is poised to work with partners from across civil society to make a more just Canada a reality.”
“B’nai Brith will not rest until the objectives discussed at last night’s forum become reality,” Mostyn said. “We look forward to hosting further forums in the future, including a French language one later this year, to galvanize support across Canadian communities for concrete action to address the scourge of hatred.”
