Environment Hamilton stands in solidarity and mourns with the Black community in Hamilton and beyond. We condemn racial violence and racism in all forms. As a community-focused organization that works through leadership, education, and advocacy to provide Hamiltonians with the knowledge and skills they need to protect and enhance the environment around us, we fight for both environmental and social justice: the two are inextricably linked, with racialized people disproportionately impacted by degraded urban environments and pollution.

Our organization recognizes that the institution of white supremacy and its racial violence stretches back to the founding of the United States and Canada and began with the genocide of Indigenous Nations inhabiting these lands. It is deeply chilling and heartbreaking that over 150+ years, lessons have not been learned and anti-Black racism and police violence continue to occur, including here in Hamilton. Insidious practices, such as routine police patrols in public schools that have a high proportion of black students and the carding (street checks) of racialized people without any reason, reflect ongoing local racism. Disregarding and undervaluing Black talent and contributions to the life of this city is customary.

Therefore, we have a responsibility to speak out against such systemic hatred, and we add our voices to those groups working in our community to overcome systems of white supremacy.

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