‘Black Lives Matter’ going unheard in Canada, says local student organization

The Travyon Martin shooting sparked the Black Lives Matter movement six years ago, but it has not been limited to the United States.

Donneyha Ellis is one of the members of the Caribbean African Organization of Students (CAOS), a student group at the University of Windsor.

“Black Lives Matter U.S. has gotten a lot of publicity, has gotten a lot of eyes, thanks to social media and different types of media platforms as well, … (But) we don’t really hear about Black Lives Matter Canada,” said Ellis.

In October 2014, Janaya Khan and Yusra Ali co-founded ‘Black Lives Matter – Toronto’ following the killing of Jermaine Carby after he was shot in a car by police during a routine traffic stop in Brampton, ON.

“(It’s about) creating this image that it’s not just a U.S. problem. This is happening in our back doors as well — in our own country, in our own community. So bringing that awareness that it’s not just a ‘them’ problem. It’s an ‘all of our’ problem,” said Ellis.

Ellis believes that silent protests are an effective alternative to traditional protests.

“We usually see rallies and these rallies are more loud, in-your-face, very direct. I think silent protests are indirect, peaceful and it’s a different way to (communicate with) people with less ignorance as well,” said Ellis.

The University of Windsor Student Alliance and CAOS are hosting a silent protest on March 28 at 1 p.m. in the CAW Courtyard. The hope is for students to recognize smaller-scale instances of minority bias in Canada.

“We really encourage everyone to come out and participate. If not, just look and hear the messages that we’re trying to convey,” said Ellis.

For Ellis’ full interview with The MediaPlex, re-visit today’s edition of MediaPlex Live at 1.