A rally in support of the black community is coming to Kelowna.

The event is scheduled for Friday, June 5, at noon and will be held at Stuart Park.

Kelowna residents Paige Harrison and Kermisha Pereira, co-organizers of the event, said they wanted to put together a peaceful rally in light of the ongoing protests in the U.S.

The protests started last week after an unarmed black man, George Floyd, died in Minnesota police custody. Some protests have turned into violent riots.

Harrison and Pereira emphasized Fridaysa国际传媒檚 event is a peaceful protest and all they want is to give people a chance to have an open conversation about people of coloursa国际传媒檚 experiences. The pair said theysa国际传媒檒l do this through an open mic.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 also a chance for people to have a safe space. Because I know a lot of people in this town donsa国际传媒檛 really feel safe sometimes when talking about stuff like that. So itsa国际传媒檚 just a safe space for us and them,sa国际传媒� Pereira added.

As a black woman, Pereira said she regularly experiences racial discrimination while doing what would be considered normal things.

sa国际传媒淲hen I go into stores, I get followed around even when I donsa国际传媒檛 look suspicious or anything like that. People, whenever they want to have an argument with me, will always end up using a racial slur as a way to hurt me,sa国际传媒� she said.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 also in the looks that people give mesa国际传媒� they let you know yousa国际传媒檙e not really wanted.sa国际传媒�

Harrison said she has different experiences as a half-black woman but still hears foul language about her race. She added everyone has a different experience, but the point is to learn where and how to combat racism in Kelowna.

sa国际传媒�(Racism) is prevalent. Just because some of us may not see it doesnsa国际传媒檛 mean that it doesnsa国际传媒檛 exist. But we want to open that conversation peacefully,sa国际传媒� Harrison said.

They said there will be cupcakes and lemonade for all to share and at 8 p.m., there will be a march in the downtown area.

sa国际传媒淚t will be between five and seven minutes and will be in silence to remember those who have lost their lives to police brutality,sa国际传媒� Harrison said.

In light of the unrest in the U.S., Pereira said they felt now was the time to showcase an opportunity to achieve equality.

sa国际传媒淓ven though something horrible is going on, we can find unity in this. We can all stand together against something unjust and not right,sa国际传媒� she said.

sa国际传媒淲e can all support each other and get justice.sa国际传媒�

Pereira added they also hope Fridaysa国际传媒檚 protest can provide Kelowna residents with an opportunity to learn.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e hoping that Kelowna will become more aware of what is going on and realize that racism is everywhere. And just because Canada hides it a bit better and doesnsa国际传媒檛 show it as much, itsa国际传媒檚 still here. It still affects people of colour and minorities,sa国际传媒� she said.

As far as social distancing during the protest, hand sanitizer, as well as several masks and gloves, will be provided at the rally, but Harrison and Pereira are asking for people who have masks to wear them to the event to ensure everyone is safe.

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