YMCA of Greater Saint John Condemns Anti-Asian Racism

– April 9, 2021 SAINT JOHN, NB – We are deeply concerned about the rise in anti-Asian racist violence that has occurred in Canada since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are shocked and saddened by the violent events targeting Asian women in their place of work in Georgia last month, and we stand firmly against anti-Asian discrimination and attacks in our communities.

Since March 2020, there have been over 1,000 incidents of Anti-Asian hate crimes across Canada, according to data provided by Fight COVID Racism. The YMCA condemns this violence, and we stand with our Asian and Asian-Canadian staff, volunteers, and community members in support. We are committed to confronting, addressing, and dismantling racism in all forms.  

We recognize the pain that arises as a result of the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes and violence. We urge all leaders to uphold the human rights of all people and to take action against such acts. We stand in solidarity with our Asian communities and extend our support to those affected.

As an organization, the YMCA is committed to diversity and inclusion. Over the last year, we have learned that we all need to stand up for and work together in solidarity to succeed in our fight against all forms of racism, including anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racisms. We have been continuing to expand our focus on anti-racism and continue to stand up for inclusion in the communities we serve. We also acknowledge there is still much work to be done in this area.

We will continue to invest in these efforts and engage in listening, learning, and improving, to ensure that the YMCA is a space that is safe and welcoming for everyone. If you experience any forms of racism in our facilities, please reach out to a Y staff member to let them know, as there is a zero tolerance policy.