> Residents spread words of kindness at city hall Mercedes Deutscher News Editor hat started as a candlelight vigil for solidarity against hatred turned into a rally of over 200 people, adorned with yellow signs reading “#NewWest United.” It all took place at New Westminster City Hall on January 26. The rally was organized by New Westminster MLA Judy Darcy in response to neo-Nazi leaflets and propaganda that had been spread around the city— mainly around Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue—during the previous weekend. The posters were credited to an online group named the Global Fascist Fraternity. “They had swastikas on them, a portrait of Adolf Hitler and some inflammatory [words] written on there as well,” Sergeant Jeff Scott said to CKNW AM 98o. “At this point, we're still looking at video surveillance in the area. As we go through that, we may be able to identify who was involved or any vehicles involved.” The New Westminster Police Department, along with the BC Hate Crimes Unit, have been on the lookout for anyone who may have been involved in distributing the propaganda, but there are currently no suspects. “Tt’s really about the community coming together and saying we completely reject the hatred and bigotry that were shown in those pro-Nazi posters that went up on a local church on the weekend,” Darcy said to CKNW. 2 i | New Westminster stands against ENE sTe| If the rally proved anything, it was that New Westminster residents from all walks of life could come together and fight back against hatred. The rally featured speeches from Mayor Jonathan Cote, MP Peter Julian, Chief Rhonda Larrabee (Qaygqayt First Nation), Imam Yahya Momla (BC Muslim Association), Reverend Emilie Smith (St. Barnabas Anglican Church), and Rabi David Mivasair. Other appearances were made by New West Pride, members of Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar, and the New Westminster Community Choir. “I think the speakers, every single one of them, I think touched people deeply, and the community was clearly looking for a way to express themselves against the detestable hate literature,” Darcy Talk of reopening Riverview emerges 1n Coquitlam > Mayor calls out provincial government for not doing its part in mental health Mercedes Deutscher News Editor he discussion of mental health was everywhere on January 25, #BellLetsTalk Day, and the discussion has echoed in local municipalities. Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart suggested that a strong move to improve mental health— especially for those suffering from substance abuse—could be to reopen Riverview Hospital, which opened its doors in 1913 and closed them in 2012. The province announced plans to demolish the existing hospital and rebuild a community site that would house three mental health programs in 2015. Yet very little action has been taken towards that plan, and Stewart claims that the province is not doing enough to alleviate a mental health crisis. For one, reopening Riverview wouldn't require spending time and resources needed to make new buildings. Money could be spent towards refurbishing the existing hospital and improving care and services. It could also mean that help would be more quickly available for those who need it. “We really want to help folks who have an addiction. Folks who step up and say ‘I need help here’ would be able to get that help on demand right now,” Stewart said to CBC. The opioid and fentanyl crisis was cited as a problem that needs to be urgently alleviated. A public health emergency was declared on the crisis back in April 2016. . x Z v7 0 > o < wi 2 o = c o Y Ww In response to the crisis, the government has been increasing the number of supervised injections sites and increasing the availability of substance treatment drugs for those who require them. However, the availability of in- patient treatment facilities is low. “The loss of Riverview’s specialized, long-term treatment capability has led to an increased number of highly unstable individuals living in the @yahyamomla via Twitter said to the New Westminster Record. After the array of speeches given by members of the community, those who attended the rally marched from city hall to the Queens Avenue United Church, through the area where the propaganda was located, spreading their message for neighbours to see. The event left Darcy with some renewed hope in the community following the propaganda earlier in the week. However, she speculated that this rally would not be the final time that residents will need to speak out against fear and hatred, especially over the next few years. “Obviously, we hope we don't have to (rally), but we know we'll need to,” said Darcy to the New Westminster Record. “Wherever and whenever the need arises.” community,” Dr. John Higenbottam, former vice-president at Riverview Hospital, said in a 2014 report. Michael Krausz, a psychiatry professor at UBC, didn’t seem to think that reopening Riverview would be the most effective use of provincial resources, but did agree with Stewart that more care is needed, and quickly. “We have waiting times across the board in terms of treatment capacity; it’s nearly impossible to see a psychiatrist, it takes time to go into detox [...] I fully support the mayor’s notion of treatment on demand,” Krausz said to CBC. The provincial government responded to Stewart’s suggestion, and seemingly dismissed reopening the hospital for the time being. “We appreciated the mayor’s suggestion and want to assure him and British Columbians that we are investing in the continuum of mental health and substance use supports,” said a government spokesperson to The Globe and Mail after neither Health Minister Terry Lake or Housing Minister Rich Coleman could be reached.