Three young Innisfil women have been inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests, the horrific death of George Floyd and expressions of racism in the U.S. and in Canada, to organize an anti-racism rally in Innisfil.
Both Aleesha Gostkowski and Angela Bratton attended the June 3 Justice for Black Lives rally in Barrie, and were inspired by the need to highlight and combat racism.
The pair had gone to high school together, so when Bratton suggested that she wanted to do something similar in their own community, Gostkowski was all in.
She contacted another friend – Cassandra Amanyangole, with whom she had taken music lessons – and suggested that the three organize an Innisfil anti-racism rally, “a peaceful protest and rally to show support for Black lives in Innisfil and all over the world.”
That rally will be taking place this Saturday, June 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the south parking lot of the Innisfil Recreation Complex – but it will be more than a call to address racism in Canadian institutions and society.
It will also be a celebration of Black lives, Black culture and Black contributions to the community, with speakers expressing Black experience, Black artists showcasing their work, and representatives of Black-owned businesses - like Miss Ritchie’s food truck - showcasing their entrepreneurial efforts.
“We want to utilize this platform to uplift local Black artists, musicians, businesses and voices,” Gostkowski said.
She explained her own involvement: “As a white person, I am constantly learning to become a better ally. I want to use my privilege to spread awareness and fight injustice… I grew up in Alcona, and as a town we need that. I hope that this event will bring people together.”
Amanyangole has experienced both the negativity and the changes that have taken place within the municipality. She was 10 years old when her family moved to Innisfil from Scarborough, and she went from an elementary school where the majority of students were Black, to a school where she was one of only three Black students.
That was back in 2010. “I had some trouble with racism,” she admitted. “When I first moved here, it wasn’t as diverse. For a lot of my friends, I was the first Black person they had met.”
Amanyangole added, “I also did meet a lot of people who were really supportive and interested in other cultures. I’ve had good experiences and I’ve had bad experiences, like anyone.”
She’s not interested in angry protest. “I don’t think that shouting and screaming is going to do much for us,” Amanyangole said. “I think it’s important to uplift all the Black people who live in Innisfil and do so much for the community,” from business owners and those who provide services, to those engaged in the arts.
Plans for the Innisfil Anti-racism Rally “ended up coming together pretty quickly, and pretty well,” said Gostkowski. Not only did the organizers receive the full support of the Town of Innisfil and South Simcoe Police, they have also mobilized a diverse collection of volunteers, who have agreed “to speak, to help in any way they can, to showcase their art,” Gostkowski said.
It’s come together very quickly, with not much time to get the word out - and with COVID-19 concerns, they aren’t sure how many people will attend.
Anyone who does come out to the Innisfil Recreation Complex will be asked to practice physical distancing and to bring a face mask – although the organizers also have a stock of masks on hand that they plan to hand out.
For those who feel uncomfortable about gathering in public, Gostkowski, Amanyangole and Bratton have also come up with an alternative way to support the Black communities in Innisfil and Simcoe County, providing a list of organizations that promote inclusion and equity, and would welcome donations, including:
Making Change Simcoe County and Uplift Black Youth Simcoe County a volunteer organization led by Shirley Skinner that prepares care packages for Black youth. (click here).
Our Mosaic Lives, created by Michele Newton to support an inclusive and diverse community (click here.)
Shak’s World Barrie, a community organization on Facebook.com, dedicated to creating respectful athletes (click here)
For those who do come out on Saturday, the rally will be an opportunity to stand together – in support of inclusion, against all racism, and to show that Black Lives Matter here and around the world.
