I shared conversations on my Facebook feed with Vanessa Brown, the program manager at Maxxine Wright Center. These conversations revealed a shocking incident of racial discrimination and violence against an indigenous new mom and her baby by Atira Women's Resource Society in Surrey, BC.

The mother was illegally evicted from her home after she filed a claim with the BC Human Rights Tribunal alleging racial discrimination. Instead of receiving support during this challenging time, she was forcibly removed from her home by Surrey police officers and relocated to an aboriginal center in Vancouver. This act is not only unjust but also act of retaliation.

Indigenous people have been subjected to systemic racism for far too long. According to Statistics Canada (2016), indigenous people are more likely than non-indigenous people to experience violence. Furthermore, they are often victims of discrimination when seeking essential services like housing.

This incident is just one example among many that highlight the urgent need for change within our society - change that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their ethnic background or social status.

We call upon local authorities in Surrey, BC including law enforcement agencies and social service providers like Atira Women's Resource Society to take immediate action against such discriminatory practices. We demand justice for this new mom and her baby as well as all other indigenous individuals who have been victims of similar injustices.

Please sign this petition today to stand up against violence and discrimination towards indigenous people in our community.