[bru-info] BRU statement and call to action against racist attacks and violence against women

[Updates on Bus Riders Union events]

**** please forward widely - apologies for cross postings****


*August 4, 2009*
*BRU statement and call to action against racist attacks and violence
against women*


The Vancouver Bus Riders Union condemns the racist violence recently
perpetrated against Qasim Baig, a Muslim man and long-time BRU member.



The violence was carried out on July 29th, 2009 on a bus running westbound
on Kingsway.   Mr. Baig was attacked by a white man who repeatedly shouted
“Bin Laden” at Mr. Baig before punching him in the head. The bus driver
immediately stopped the bus and called emergency personnel to the scene.  By
the time police arrived, the perpetrator had fled.



Mr. Baig is 59 years old and suffers from heart trouble, diabetes, and a
lung condition.   He has lived in Canada since 1987.



The bus driver is to be commended for his quick and compassionate response.
But this and other violent attacks on public transit in recent weeks should
serve as a wake up call to TransLink and the Greater Vancouver Transit
Police Force (GVTAPS).   The priority for all transit police must be public
safety, not fare enforcement.



Unfortunately, transit police, with their unaccountable board and seventeen
million dollar annual budget, have made their priorities clear.  Enforcing
fare payment and issuing $176 tickets to low-income transit users has been
the dominant preoccupation of the force since its launch in 2006.



The recent attack on Mr. Baig, along with the July 28th incident of a
thirteen year old girl forced off a bus and sexually assaulted, requires a
re-thinking of priorities for both TransLink and the Transit police.



Transit is a public service that should be safe and accessible for all,
regardless of race, gender, age or religious affiliation.  The real bottom
line is people, not profit.



*The Bus Riders Union will be holding a speak-out on Wednesday, August
5that 7:30pmat the bus stop where the racist attack took place (1500
Block Kingsway –
north side of the street).  *



Join us and other organizations to take a stand against racist attacks and
violence against women!  Call on TransLink to put people first, not profit!



Please call 604-215-2775 or 604-255-4745 (cell), or email
organizingcentre at gmail.com for more information.



-- 
"Study because we will need all of your intelligence.
Agitate because we will need all of your enthusiasm.
Organize because we will need all of your strength."

L’Ordine Nuovo,  1919
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/bru-info/attachments/20090804/6dbd994f/attachment.html>