The following is a statement from Irene Lanzinger, President of the BC Federation of Labour:
“To the victims and their families of the January 29th terrorist attack on the Centre Cultural Islamique de Quebec which took the lives of Abdelkrim Hassane, 41, Mamadou Tanou Barry, 42, Ibrahima Barry, 39, Azzeddine Soufiane, 57, Khaled Belkacemi, 60, and Aboubaker Thabti, 44. On behalf of over 500,000 union members and their families in BC, we stand with you, in solidarity in this difficult time. Our thought and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
This terrorist attack against Muslims is the direct result of the systematic demonizing of a religion that has been allowed to occur both on a national and international stage. This is the result of countless media stories, and comments from politicians and world leaders that are defamatory against a religious faith.
The BCFED is committed to educating its membership and the public against racism and prejudice, because it is only through education that we can guard our community against the type of ignorance and hate that causes these types of attacks.
To the allies who share our utter shock and horror at this terrorist attack on a place of worship, consider what you might do to help make a change, and take it upon yourself to challenge racism and prejudice when you come across it.
By working together we can ensure that we do not allow a religious faith to be demonized, and can prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.”