By Vanessa Ybarra

Deputy Mayor Arjun Singh ‘sickened’ by Charlottesville protest, praises Kamloops inclusion

Aug 20, 2017 | 12:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — Deputy Mayor Arjun Singh says he’s sickened by last week’s white nationalists protest in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“Horrible, horrible things have happened down there” said Singh. “I think Donald Trumps presidency has unfortunately given permission for folks to exhibit really horrible views and put them forward in the public space.”

Singh says it’s important to look at the reasons behind the behaviour.

“It’s fear of others, fear of change,” said Singh. “Once people get the opportunity to sit down and meet someone they might be afraid of be it a gay person, a transgender person, a person of colour, a lot of the time if it’s done in a warm, friendly and calm environment lots of good things can happen and people can change their views.”

Singh says he’s proud to live in a city like Kamloops.

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“We as a community in Kamloops have had an amazing history of inclusion and diversity,” said Singh.  “We’ve had more ethnic and indigenous political leaders that pioneered here than I think almost any other community in Canada.”

A declaration against racism and discrimination was made by Singh at a city council meeting earlier in the year.

Along with Sunday’s Pride Parade, Singh says Kamloops Immigrant Services does a great job promoting ethnic diversity and multiculturalism in the city.

He adds the cities Diversity Committee continuse to work to address and improve social issues throughout the city.