Hamilton community leaders denounce hate after anti-immigrant demonstration in city centre

Less than a week after anti-immigrant demonstrators stood in the heart of downtown Hamilton, community leaders called for solidarity and denounced what they say is a rise in hate against newcomers.

Ongoing housing and health-care issues stem from decades of underinvestment, not from newcomers, "who are often just trying to rebuild their lives here in Hamilton," Rashed Afif said at a news conference outside city hall on Thursday. But too many people are blaming immigrants, he said.

Afif, CEO of the non-profit Wesley, which provides programs and services to vulnerable members of the community, was one of several local leaders to speak out in support of the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council.

"We must not allow those who thrive on fear and division to distract us by blaming the most marginalized and vulnerable folks for issues that are rooted in our leadership's systemic and policy failures," Afif said.

That sort of scapegoating, he and others said, was on display on Nov. 9 when a group of at least 10 masked demonstrators stood outside Jackson Square, a downtown mall, holding a banner advocating "mass deportation."

Medora Uppal, CEO of YWCA Hamilton, said her team "firmly condemns" the demonstration. Every day, she said, they see the "scarcity, uncertainty and struggle" Hamiltonians face.

"We understand the economic challenges like the housing crisis, the rising cost of living and that people are struggling to secure well-paying, stable employment," she told the news conference.

"In these circumstances, it's natural to wonder if we have enough to share with more people. It becomes easy in these times to forget how significant the contributions of immigrants have been throughout our history as a country."

Several local politicians have condemned last Saturday's demonstration at Jackson Square, including downtown Coun. Nrinder Nann, who accused the demonstrators of cowardice on social media site X, formerly Twitter.

"Show your faces so you can be held accountable for your actions," she said.

In an email, Hamilton police spokesperson Const. Adam Kimber said officers were "in the area of the demonstration until the group dispersed."

Police "collected information" but did not lay charges and are not investigating any crimes related to the demonstration, he said, adding that police recognize "events like these have a far-reaching impact on our community."

Lyndon George, executive director of the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC), said it's important to consider what was going on across the street from the Jackson Square demonstrators. Every Saturday at Gore Park, people in need line up to access food provided by a community group.

"When groups in our community are coming together to support one another, by providing food and resources to marginalized communities, it is no mistake when people show up with banners that are meant to exclude them."