The Coalition of Black Trade Unionist Ontario-Canada (CBTU) stands with the people of Charlottesville Virginia against the recent wave of hate and violence that has visited the city. Unlike the 45th President of the United States CBTU Ontario-Canada will not hesitate to condemn the white supremacy that has fueled the most recent displays of hate and violence in that city, throughout the United States and into Canada. CBTU will further not hesitate to label those at the engine of white supremacy as domestic terrorist both north and south of the Canada/United states border.
2017 CBTU-Canada Annual Charity Golf Tournament
June 7, 2017
Dear Friends,
CBTU (Coalition of Black Trade Unionists) Ontario Canada Chapter will be hosting its annual charity golf tournament at the beautiful Richmond Hill Golf Course on August 15th, 2017. This is an initiative we started two years ago in an effort to raise funds for scholarships in the Black Canadian Community.
CBTU President Statement on the Acquittal of Philando Castile’s Murderer
No Justice for Philando Castile: CBTU President Statement on the Acquittal of Philando Castile’s Murderer
Statement by Rev. Terrence L. Melvin
President, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
On Friday, June 16, justice was not served again, as the officer in the shooting death of Philando
Castile was found not-guilty. This pattern of injustice would reach comedic heights if not for the
bodies buried as a punchline. The justice system has sent a message that under any conditions an
officer can murder a black person with zero reprisal, zero accountability, and zero punishment. This
verdict maintains the precedent that in relationship to other races, Black Lives Do Not Matter.
Many people will point out that the officer in question was Latino and therefore race has nothing to do
with this case, but that is a narrow and rather naive approach to the conversation. The race of the
officer matters not in these cases, what matters are the victims and the system perpetuating the
violence. Systemic racism is where we find our most oppressive systems memorialized in institutions.
While the race of officers may vary, the fact that all officers are empowered and encouraged to enact
violent justice on Blacks means that the system is the racial aggravator not the individual. Any officer
of any race can be lured into the practice of racial injustice by their commanders, the protocols they
are forced to follow, and the environment they work in. It could have been a Black officer who shot
Philando and this would still be a case of racism. That is because the American justice system and
our police institutions promote and propagate this racial inequity.
Police Officers need to address the system they work under. When we have a racist household, we
can always assume the children will grow up to be racist too. Such is the same with systemic racism.
Any person who becomes an officer is indoctrinated in a racist system that encourages the
mistreatment of Blacks. The trainers care not of the race of the trainees as long as protocol was
followed. And, the protocol is to kill a Black person and suffer no consequence.
With ample videos, and witnesses, and statements available it seemed like Philando and his family
would be the rare case that received justice. Once again, we were fooled to believe that even in overt
cases we could achieve some vindication. We have once again been taught a different lesson. And
just like how a racist household raises racist kids, homes fearful of police will raise children distrustful
of officers. We are breeding racists who in turn are creating anarchists, as our communities no longer
trust law and order and seek solutions outside the parameters of a system designed to oppress them.
Philando will not get justice from a crooked system, but his legacy will empower a generation to fight
back. I am worried, for as JFK once said: “Those that make people revolution impossible, make
violent revolution inevitable.” I hope the system can change peacefully before others force it to
change violently. The violence must stop, but it has to start first with them not killing us. Then and
only then can we begin to fix it properly.
CBTU- Canada AGM Meeting and Barbecue- June 6, 2017 at 6:30pm
Dear CBTU-Canada Members, The CBTU Canada Chapter will be holding its General Membership Meeting (GMM) and barbecue on June 6, 2017. The meeting will be at at 47 Densely ave Toronto (the Canadian Union of Postal Workers union hall) at 6:30 pm.
CBTU-ACLA Caucus at CLC Convention, Tuesday May 9
CBTU-Canada Statement on the Endorsement of Candidates
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Canadian Chapter is a democratic organization made up of Black and other racialized trade unionists. As such, CBTU-Canada supports using the democratic process for approving resolutions, constitutional changes, the electing of leadership, and more.
CBTU-Canada Statement on The International Day of Remembrance of The Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 25th is observed by the United Nations as the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, millions of Africans were taken against their will, chained in the belly of thousands of ships, forcibly removed from their homeland and brought to Canada and other countries as slaves. Many did not survive the journey and their bodies were simply thrown overboard. For those who survived, generations of atrocities followed. Africans were recognized as cattle under the law, sold into slavery and became the property of the purchaser.
Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Racism
Dear members,
Please review our Chapter's Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, and well as review our African Heritage & Black History Month Report. Thank you.
CBTU Canada Statement-The Passing of Fred Upshaw
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)–Canada Chapter sends its deepest condolences to the family
and to all those affected by the passing of Fred Upshaw.
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) - Canada Statement on the Quebec City Mosque Terrorist Attack
It is with sadness and heavy hearts that the The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
(CBTU) – Canada expresses its heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the recent terrorist attack on the Quebec City Mosque.
