Thousands of people loudly chanted George Floyd’s name, followed by shouts of Black Lives Matter as they peacefully walked from Rollie Fischer Field to North Bay City Hall Saturday afternoon.
The North Bay Black Lives Matter March was organized by graduating high school students Kile George and Kaiden Peljack.
“The vigil is to honour lives lost due to unchecked racism and police brutality,” explained George.
“Kaiden and I are best friends. We are both young people of colour. Kaiden is black and I am indigenous, so we both have experienced racism. When we heard about all the protests and we heard about the killing of George Floyd and the deaths of Regis Korchinsky-Paquet, Ahmaud Arbery and so many other names of lives lost, we felt we couldn’t sit back and not do anything.”
The turnout was far greater than organizers anticipated.
“It is amazing. It is just phenomenal. I was not expecting this many people,” said George.
“Being a northern community in Ontario, Canada, we don’t see a lot of police brutality. We don’t see a lot of outright racism, but it is still here. North Bay people and surrounding areas are neglecting to start the conversation here. It is us being complacent. So, it is important for us to use our voices, especially in the north, to make sure that yes it is not happening currently but we have to make sure that it continues to not happen, and make sure that everyone is on the same page and are able to support the Black Lives Matter movement.”
Event co-organizer Kaiden Peljack has experienced multiple levels of racism growing up in North Bay.
“Being mixed, a lot of people think that because I’m part white, I’m not black enough to qualify as black. But it is often white people or other non-black people who want to quantify my blackness but don’t really understand what it means to be black,” said Peljack who described his reality.
“It feels like there’s a lot of eyes and a lot of pressure on you because it is such a small minority group. Out in public I have to recognize that I may be the only black person in a store or at a public event, and I have to recognize that could be a danger for myself. I haven’t felt threatened, but you can definitely feel when there is a tension from certain people when they aren’t happy or they aren’t comfortable with your presence. Some people don’t express it outwardly but you can still feel the energy coming off of them. It is almost like they’re preparing for you to do something. It is micro things like that, that a lot of people don’t tend to realize, that black people pick up on.”
The teen pointed out there needs to be a greater emphasis placed on education.
“You’re never too old and you’re never too young. I think we have to start as soon as possible to combat racism. So not only trying to help older people that are stuck in an old societal way of looking at races, but also making sure that isn’t passed on to younger generations,” said Peljack.
“It is what is in your soul, it is not the melanin that is in your skin, and I think people need to understand that.”
Marcher Tabitha made a point of bringing her 12-year-old son Jahmar.
“I’m sad he got killed. It is not right. It is really scary,” said Jahmar holding a sign in support of the march.
“I want him to know the importance of black lives, and his race and his colour and to know all lives matter. He needs to know and recognize that in today’s society. And for him to be cautious and careful wherever he goes, who he talks to, what he does, his behaviour because there are people who are racist just because of his colour, ” said mom Tabitha.
“I believe it should be in the education system. It should be taught. It should be known. It should be out there in the open. It shouldn’t be hidden or a secret. I hope people are just more open to the idea of educating themselves. When we first came out with this, there was a lot of confusion to why it was happening in North Bay if we don’t have a lot of police brutality, but it is still important to address, so we hope that people are open to opening the discussion.”
Having made their way to city hall, marchers took a knee in silent protest.
Adeolu Agboola read at poem on behalf of a local immigrant.
“I think it is very important not only for me but for everyone to know that even if you are young, or a teenager or anyone of any race or colour, you have a say in what goes on in your world,” said Agboola.
“I think it is really important to have our voices heard as black people especially because often they are quieted by other people, even people who are trying to help. It is important that we amplify the voices that are those of the minorities. It is a little harder for our voices to be held up, but it is very important for that to happen in order for other people to understand. We have to make people uncomfortable so they pay attention and so that change can happen.”
The march was personal for Kory James who wanted to add his voice to the mix.
“I’m black, first and foremost. I have been through a lot and I’m just here to support the North Bay community. It is a growing community and I just want to see equality and what is right for black people and people of colour and culture. I think it is beautiful to see all these people out here of all colours. The colour has definitely changed here over the years. I’m happy to be here.”
Jessica Faubert agrees.
“I’m here to help support the movement and show my love for the community. I think it is beautiful. I have children of colour and also being Ojibway, I think it is really important for us to all stand together and support each other and bring justice because that is what we need,” said Faubert.
“We need justice and equality and to realize that everybody is equal.”
