A rally in support of the black community is coming to 琉璃神社.

The event is scheduled for Friday, June 5, at noon and will be held at Stuart Park.

琉璃神社 residents Paige Harrison and Kermisha Pereira, co-organizers of the event, said they wanted to put together a peaceful rally in light of the ongoing protests in the U.S.

The protests started last week after an unarmed black man, George Floyd, died in Minnesota police custody. Some protests have turned into violent riots.

Harrison and Pereira emphasized Friday鈥檚 event is a peaceful protest and all they want is to give people a chance to have an open conversation about people of colour鈥檚 experiences. The pair said they鈥檒l do this through an open mic.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also a chance for people to have a safe space. Because I know a lot of people in this town don鈥檛 really feel safe sometimes when talking about stuff like that. So it鈥檚 just a safe space for us and them,鈥� Pereira added.

As a black woman, Pereira said she regularly experiences racial discrimination while doing what would be considered normal things.

鈥淲hen I go into stores, I get followed around even when I don鈥檛 look suspicious or anything like that. People, whenever they want to have an argument with me, will always end up using a racial slur as a way to hurt me,鈥� she said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also in the looks that people give me鈥� they let you know you鈥檙e not really wanted.鈥�

Harrison said she has different experiences as a half-black woman but still hears foul language about her race. She added everyone has a different experience, but the point is to learn where and how to combat racism in 琉璃神社.

鈥�(Racism) is prevalent. Just because some of us may not see it doesn鈥檛 mean that it doesn鈥檛 exist. But we want to open that conversation peacefully,鈥� Harrison said.

They said there will be cupcakes and lemonade for all to share and at 8 p.m., there will be a march in the downtown area.

鈥淚t will be between five and seven minutes and will be in silence to remember those who have lost their lives to police brutality,鈥� Harrison said.

In light of the unrest in the U.S., Pereira said they felt now was the time to showcase an opportunity to achieve equality.

鈥淓ven though something horrible is going on, we can find unity in this. We can all stand together against something unjust and not right,鈥� she said.

鈥淲e can all support each other and get justice.鈥�

Pereira added they also hope Friday鈥檚 protest can provide 琉璃神社 residents with an opportunity to learn.

鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping that 琉璃神社 will become more aware of what is going on and realize that racism is everywhere. And just because Canada hides it a bit better and doesn鈥檛 show it as much, it鈥檚 still here. It still affects people of colour and minorities,鈥� she said.

As far as social distancing during the protest, hand sanitizer, as well as several masks and gloves, will be provided at the rally, but Harrison and Pereira are asking for people who have masks to wear them to the event to ensure everyone is safe.

READ: Social justice advocate yells at 琉璃神社 council, demands presence at black Lives Matter rally

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