An open letter from Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Advocacy Group CANADA to Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth and British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma calling for immediate and effective steps to address the increasingly aggressive behaviour of Peter Hanssens, who has repeatedly targeted various minority groups with racist actions.
CC:
Honorable Niki Sharma, British Columbia Attorney General
Respectfully, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth and Attorney General Niki Sharma.
We, the Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crime Advocacy Group, request that your ministry take further actions to combat the deteriorating societal discrimination.
As reported by the Richmond News on March 23, 2023, Mr. Peter Hanssens, a perpetrator who had attacked Asian Canadians in Metro Vancouver, has once again assaulted Chinese Canadians in Vancouver with racist languages.
White supremacy, one of the fundamental causes of racial discrimination, has been manifested by Mr. Peter Hanssens’ repeated provocative and offensive behaviours. Because he has not been adequately disciplined, it is evident that he has continued to challenge the law and that his racist behaviour has grown increasingly aggressive. The unprovoked attack on many Indian pupils in the Kelowna region on March 17, 2023, is another evidence of increased racial discrimination in BC.
We are attentively monitoring this situation and are deeply concerned. Canada has been known throughout the globe for its multiculturalism for over fifty years. Canadians are known for their friendliness, courtesy, and compassion. It is unfortunate that hate crimes and discrimination are now being reported time after time in our beautiful British Columbia.
The Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crime Advocacy Group suggests that:
- Law enforcement and administration should take racism cases more seriously and consider hate as a factor when prosecuting the case.
- Besides verbal reprimands, racist offenders should be educated on necessary measures in addition to penalties.
Hereby, the Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crime Advocacy Group urgently requests that your ministry and your colleagues take adequate actions to combat hate and discrimination in BC.
Sincerely,
Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crime Advocacy Group
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