Former Seattle City Councillor was presented with the annual Hands Against Racism award by Spice Radio at a well-attended event in Surrey on Sunday, March 30.
Born and raised in India, Kshama Sawant was instrumental behind the historic anti-caste ordinance brought by the City of Seattle in 2023. Since then, she has been under attack from supporters of the right-wing Hindu nationalist Modi government in New Delhi.
For doing that she had to pay a heavy price, as the Indian government denied her visa and an opportunity to go and see her ailing mother in Bengaluru.
Sawant couldn’t make it to the event organized at Surrey City Hall, due to the current tensions between Canada and US caused by the trade war. Spice Radio broadcaster and her vocal supporter Gurpreet Singh accepted the award on her behalf.
He earlier introduced her before her video message was played.
In her greetings, Sawant revealed that because of the hostile political environment, including ongoing arrests of pro-Palestine activists in the US, especially those who are naturalized American citizens like her, she had been advised not to travel outside the country.
However, she pulled no punches in criticising the Liberals and Democrats on either side of the border for their complacency and opportunism, enabling the extreme right wing forces to grow powerful.
Her speech received a huge applause from the audience.
Spice Radio CEO Shushma Datt started the campaign in 2015, on the birth anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. It coincides with Holi, a Hindu festival of colours, and encourages participants to colour their hands and leave a palm print on a white sheet of paper with a message against racism. A practicing Hindu herself, she believes in diversity and inclusion and greeted everyone Happy Eid at the Sunday program.
Every year, individuals are also shortlisted and awarded for their anti-racism work as part of this initiative. This year Sawant and Bob Rennie were honoured. Rennie is a famous art collector and a strong advocate against xenophobia and homophobia, besides gender discrimination.
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The very first recipient of the award, Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon, who served as the first turbaned Sikh Royal Canadian Police officer and faced racism from within the force, was also present and addressed the gathering.
Other past recipients also spoke on the occasion, including Attorney General Niki Sharma, anti-racism educator Annie Ohana and prominent journalist Charlie Smith.
