“The Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver believe a small action can make a difference. In British Columbia, thousands of students wear pink shirts in support of anti-bullying. Orange Shirt Day has also been introduced across Canadian schools, where students wear orange shirts in solidarity with Indigenous victims of the residential school system. ARC Vancouver is petitioning for Black Shirt Day to be introduced in BC, in recognition of the struggle for civil rights fought by Black and racialized Canadians. We propose that Black Shirt Day be established on January 15th, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the great civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner. We believe this will be an important step in raising greater awareness of the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights faced by Black and racialized Canadians, and will help to foster solidarity against all forms of racism and hate.”
ARC Vancouver has been collecting signatures for a petition proposing Black Shirt Day on January 15 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday). They have achieved their goal of 1500 signatures. It is not an official Day mandated by the Ministry of Education; however, the petition will be sent to the new Minister and will likely be recognized next year (January 2022).