VANCOUVER SUN | Vancouver anti-racism rally draws over a thousand to downtown core

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In the article "Vancouver anti-racism rally draws over a thousand to downtown core," Stephanie lp, David Carrigg.

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Over 1,000 people attended an anti-racism rally in Vancouver on Sunday May 31, 2020. ARLEN REDEKOP /  PNG

Over 1,000 people attended an anti-racism rally in downtown Vancouver on Sunday afternoon.

The rally outside the north face of the Vancouver Art Gallery was to support protests around the deaths of George Floyd and Regis Korchinski-Paquet, though featured the chant "no justice, no peace" that was part of the anti-pipeline protests earlier this year. There was a similar-sized protest in Montreal also on Sunday that turned violent.

Vancouver police closed the surrounding roads just before 6 p.m.

Tristan Miura, who held up a skateboard painted with the words "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," said he hopes Vancouver will reflect on the protesters' message.

"Vancouver has always been quite liberal and very open about what they feel is wrong in the community," said Miura. "I think Vancouver, as a whole, is taking this time to reflect on past issues and preventing further issues from occurring."

Others hoped it would spark a larger reaction in Canada.

"I hope this is just the start," said Chance Lovett. "I hope this is just the beginning of a larger conversation and a larger movement."

Vancouver police said there have been no arrests during the event.

People at an anti-racism rally in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery in Vancouver, B.C., May 31, 2020. TBA/PNG

Floyd died May 25 in downtown Minneapolis after a police officer was filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck, causing him to stop breathing. The officer has been arrested and now faces a murder charge.

Korchinski-Paquet is a Toronto woman who died last Wednesday after falling from a 24th-floor apartment while police were in her home. Korchinski-Paquet had called police for help.

The deaths have prompted protests in the U.S. and Canada and stirred up wider discussions of race and racism.

Jacob Callendar-Prasad spoke in an Instagram TV video over the weekend, sharing information about the rally and encouraging participants to remain peaceful.

"I can't stress this enough. No rioting tomorrow. We do not need to riot in Vancouver, we don't need to destroy our community, that's not needed here," he said in the clip posted Saturday.

"It's not the same as the United States, we don't have cops going around causing damage here just to uphold a riot."

In December 2016 Callendar-Prasad was arrested by Burnaby RCMP in a case of mistaken identity. He was released and police later admitted the error and offered the man a gift card and a tour of the Burnaby RCMP detachment. They also met with Callendar-Prasad, then 17, and his mother to address any lingering concerns.

Sunday's rally, however, will go ahead without the participation of the Vancouver-based chapter of Black Lives Matter. In a post shared to their Facebook and Instagram account, BLM Vancouver has said they will not be participating due to ongoing concerns over COVID-19 and the ability to gather in large groups during the pandemic.

"We have been in touch with the organizers of this event, and have respectfully declined to participate," the statement read.

"Black Lives Matter EVERYDAY. Indigenous Solidarity, ALWAYS. Not just when we are collectively traumatized by another guileless savage gang of cops. We appreciate this act of solidarity and the coming together of Black and Indigenous people to facilitate healing from and amidst police brutality."

The statement goes on to say BLM Vancouver hopes to organize another rally in the future when bans on large gatherings have been relaxed by health officials.

"We do not feel that we can ensure the safety of our community in public protest at this time. Furthermore, the family of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, has asked that no protest be held in their daughters name. We will respect that. Right now, our priority and concern is keeping Black people safe and promoting some rest."

People rally during an anti-racism protest in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery in Vancouver, B.C., May 31, 2020. TBA/PNG

Protests in the U.S. are expected to continue Sunday, as National Guard troops are being prepped for deployment to Chicago, after a number of peaceful protests in Chicago and across the country gave way to overnight chaos and destruction Saturday evening.

A curfew was implemented in Los Angeles, after squad cars burned and stores were damaged and looted; video clips from New York City showed two police cars lurching into a crowd after demonstrators were seen blocking the street and throwing debris at the vehicles.

Protests have unfolded in dozens of North American cities in recent days.

Public gatherings of more than 50 people are not permitted under provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry's COVID-19 public health emergency rules.

- with files from the Canadian Press