Never in the history of the Canada has so many groups and associations representing the African continent and Black people came together under a single umbrella for a cause as happened at the "Blacks Lives Matter" rally held at the forecourt of the City Hall in downtown Toronto in August this year.
The event, organized by the African Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC) brought together over 82 associations and groups representing nations, ethnic groups, businesses, cultural organizations, youth groups and various other associations linked to the African motherland and the Caribbean nations to protest systemic racism in Canada, the USA and rest of the world.
Welcoming participants to the event, the president of ACSDC, Nene Kabu Asante said they decided to organize the rally to erase wrong impressions that Black people from the African continent don't care about systemic racism. "We care deeply about whatever impacts us. Both negatively and positively, and we act."
The President puts the blame on the three levels of government, the federal, provincial and local authorities for not doing enough to address the issue. "Why would the authorities spend billions of dollars on policing but very little on issues that directly impacts us. It is about misplaced priorities and we are demanding an end to it. Black lives matter".
Quoting Peter Tosh, " Don't care where you come from, as long as you are Black you are an African", Mr. Asante used the opportunity to reach out to all Blacks and people of African descent from all corners of the world especially the Caribbean that the ACSDC was an all-inclusive group and welcomed all to work together.