Stunned and embarrassed by some of the bile being directed at Muslims in Canada following the Paris terrorist attacks, a group of Richmond students is fighting back.
The Kwantlen Polytechnic University criminology students were so aghast at the hatred being spewed towards innocent Canadians and new immigrants that they decided to do their little bit to restore faith in outsiders’ views of their country.
As of now, the 28-strong class and their professor, Wade Deisman, are asking the Richmond public to help them with a “welcome letter campaign” for all the Syrian refugees that will soon be calling B.C. home.
The group hopes the words of warmth will go a little way to tempering any anger or displeasure the new immigrants may feel when they arrive in Canada early in 2016.
“We watched what was happening with the Syrian refugees, getting accepted into Canada, but then saw some of the reaction across the country and decided to make a difference, even in the smallest way,” said Antonio Algara, a fourth year criminology major student and Steveston-London grad.
“When (the refugees) come here, we want them to be met with something nice; especially in the face of hatred, much of which is from some very misguided people.”
Algara said that, even though many of his fellow students are feeling the weight of studies and exams at this time of year, the whole class was willing to chip in to make the campaign a success.
“People can email us their welcome notes; they don’t have to be long; it’s just a way to let (the refugees) know that at least one person is happy to see them,” added Algara.
The group is hoping to work with the Muslim Friendship Centre in Surrey, where they will pass on the vetted letters.
To pen a welcome letter, email [email protected] by Dec. 18.
