Originally written in Summer 2020 for my Cities and Crisis course at SFU
Are we moving backwards? British Columbians have been successful in their isolation and distancing efforts since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan admits that “the collective effort and sacrifice (across B.C. means) we’ve been able to flatten the curve and save thousands of lives” (Michaels, 2020, pp. 4). However, with the flood of protests erupting across the world against anti-Black racism sparked by the murder of George Floyd, many wonder whether cases of COVID-19 will rise again. B.C. health officials suggest taking precautionary measures when choosing to protest, but to also consider gathering in smaller groups (Crawford, 2020). I am not here to address whether cases will rise, but whether it is okay that they do. Protest is necessary, and I argue that even during this unprecedented modern pandemic, protest should occur in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. Seeing people breaking curfews across the world to show up in the streets may put more at risk for the virus, but it isn’t the only plague. Systemic racism, I argue, has a more pervasive and entrenched effect on society and causes more innocent lives to be lost on and off phone screen cameras. Physician George Benjamin put it well to The Guardian, saying “the risk of being shot and killed by a police officer may, in some communities, be much higher than the risk of getting Covid-19 and dying” (Renwick, 2020, pp. 3).
It is fundamental that people are able to demonstrate in the street for humans rights. Constitutional lawyers Klinck and Mackenzie argue that vocal freedom of expression is not loud or impactful enough to force necessary political change. The “freedom of peaceful assembly gives marginalized groups a way to make themselves heard” (Klinck and Mackenzie, 2020, pp. 7). They argue this in the context of the paused Wet’suwet’en protests and strategies from early 2020. Will George Floyd’s murder motivate even stronger movement towards justice for the Wet’suwet’en once COVID-19 subsides? Will the B.C. government see what is happening in the world and realize it is time to recognize Aboriginal rights and title on unceded land? Issues of anti-Black racism and Indigenous racism intersect in many ways, and I hope Canadians learn from what is happening south of the border. I think wearing masks, washing hands, and trying our best to stay distant is more than sufficient to justify protesting in British Columbia. Even if we don’t use these protective measures, what is at stake if we stay home is much larger than the virus. People’s current motivation to protest, even if it risks them getting sick, shows how important anti-racist efforts are today. Protest without the risk of violence, or in this case sickness, does not send the message which policy-makers need to hear. We may now be moving backwards in regard to COVID-19, but I am confident we are taking important steps towards racial equality.
Justice for Breonna Taylor: https://justiceforbreonna.org
Idle No More: https://idlenomore.ca
Resources
Crawford, T. (2020, June 4). COVID-19: B.C. health officials call for physical distancing at protests. Retrieved June 5, 2020, from https://vancouversun.com/news/covid-19-health-officials-call-for-physical-distancing-at-protests?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3uV7E5xXmg7CWVwWOdpGzEhbFEvtnIHh4pFrcC-WRbbu2btgIPkK0yEnQ#Echobox=1591292951
Klinck, J., & Mackenzie, M. (2020, February 24). Opinion: Why protest matters for the Wet’suwet’en resistance. Retrieved June 5, 2020, from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-why-protest-matters-for-the-wetsuweten-resistance/
Michaels, K. (2020, May 6). B.C. loosening social distancing measures in move towards new normal. Retrieved June 5, 2020, from https://infotel.ca/newsitem/bc-loosening-social-distancing-measures-in-move-towards-new-normal/it73028
Renwick, D. (2020, June 4). Is it safe to protest during a pandemic? Experts answer our questions. Retrieved June 5, 2020, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/04/is-it-safe-to-protest-during-a-pandemic-experts-answer-our-questions
marina miller 