‘We All Belong Here’: Campaign launches to combat growing hate

In an effort to fight back against a growing number of hate-motivated incidents, the Region of Waterloo is launching a robust and comprehensive anti-hate information and awareness campaign called “We All Belong Here.”

Led by the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan’s Combatting Hate Action Table (CHAT), We All Belong Here was developed through consultation with several different groups.

“We looked at other campaigns from across the country to kind of get a sense of what would make sense in Waterloo Region,” said Fauzia Baig, the Region’s Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “And then we took those examples and ideas into the community, did some public engagement around campaign messages. And, that message of ‘we all belong here’ really resonated with people.”

The group also looked at a similar program running down the 401 in London as an example.

The campaign will consist of a multi-media push with radio and TV ads. Print and online ads, as well as posters and message boards in high-traffic areas. Residents may also notice a newly wrapped Grand River Transit bus, promoting the initiative.

Baig told 570 NewsRadio it was important for organizers to make sure the message hits hard.

“The message really needed to come out in a strong way that hate is not okay in Waterloo Region.”

She said that the hope is that flooding the community will get people talking, which is the best way to promote change, according to Baig.

“The strength of a campaign like this is hearing it from people. People that you know, people that you respect, people that you value, really speaking to the meat of this campaign and why it’s important.”

A significant component of the initiative is the data gathering aspect, said Baig.

“We are actually partnering with the University of Waterloo, the School of Public Health Sciences, to do a very nuts and bolts, pragmatic evaluation strategy as well. That’s to learn from this community investment into this campaign to see if there are things we could do better as we continue this work.”

Townships joining the fight

The region has promised a number of launch events by CHAT members to promote the campaign, including Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Breslau Community Center.

Jeff Smith, Director of Corporate Services, Township of Woolwich, was asked if there is a specific problem with hate in the township.

“I think one of the participants on the action table said it best, for me: We don’t have to wait for hate or hate incidents to have a campaign to tell residents that they feel like they belong in the community that they live in.”

There will be several speakers at the Breslau event, including Woolwich Mayor, Sandy Schantz.

It begins at 5:00 p.m.