WHEREAS, March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is a day dedicated to acknowledging, challenging and eliminating racism; and

WHEREAS, The rights to equality and non-discrimination are cornerstones of human rights law as in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights; and

WHEREAS, Racial discrimination is a universal issue that divides communities and threatens the political, social, economic and cultural foundations on which communities are built; and

WHEREAS, Everyday, each and every one of us can stand up against racial prejudice, hatred and intolerant attitudes; and

THEREFORE, I, Shawn Pankow, Mayor of the Town of Smiths Falls, do hereby proclaim March 21st, 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Town of Smiths Falls.