Racism Against Somali-Canadian Politician Sparks #IStandWithMunira Campaign

posted on: Oct 14, 2014

Canadian politician Munira Abukar is using Twitter to fight back against racism she says she’s received on the campaign trail. Twitter users are showing solidarity with Munira Abukar after the Toronto city council candidate’s campaign signs were defaced (link is external) with racist slogans.

Abukar posted (link is external) pictures of the vandalised signs, which told the Somali-Canadian to “go home”. She also shared other threats and racist language she has received online.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>So I was just emailed some serious threats this morning via our campaign emails. Will be going to the police to file a report.</p>— Munira for Ward 2 (@MuniraAbukar) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar/status/521275057747005440″>October 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Of course the ignorance has found it’s way online. We need to stop this shaming of racialized women. <a href=”http://t.co/RHpOjzKuna”>pic.twitter.com/RHpOjzKuna</a></p>— Munira for Ward 2 (@MuniraAbukar) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar/status/521043193752981504″>October 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>When people tell me to “go back home” I’m always like oh you mean back to my crib in Etobicoke? Miss me with that racist/xenophobic speak.</p>— Munira for Ward 2 (@MuniraAbukar) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar/status/520988853063405569″>October 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>I dress how I want because it’s my body. Not yours to police- it’s mine. Accept it or keep it moving.</p>— Munira for Ward 2 (@MuniraAbukar) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar/status/521043350116634624″>October 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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She received an outpouring of support online, with many using #IStandWithMunira to express their solidarity.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Proud that our city’s home to brilliant young women like <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a>. No place here for anyone who thinks different. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithMunira?src=hash”>#IStandWithMunira</a></p>— jane farrow (@farrowjane) <a href=”https://twitter.com/farrowjane/status/521157443972497408″>October 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a> I admire your courage and strength. Not in your ward but I will be making a donation to your campaign tonight. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/goSister?src=hash”>#goSister</a></p>— Lisa Barnoff (@LBB2002) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LBB2002/status/521008052133441536″>October 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>.<a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a> & <a href=”https://twitter.com/johntoryTO”>@johntoryTO</a> were both born in <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash”>#Toronto</a>. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhitePrivilege?src=hash”>#WhitePrivilege</a> means this will never happen to him: <a href=”http://t.co/YxwOGNHAJd”>pic.twitter.com/YxwOGNHAJd</a></p>— Rima Berns-McGown (@rimabernsm) <a href=”https://twitter.com/rimabernsm/status/521006725193666560″>October 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Other politicians in Ontario joined the support for Abukar. Among them was mayoral candidate Olivia Chow, who reports facing similar comments.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Standing together with <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a>. Proud of our diverse city and strong women like Munira. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOpoli?src=hash”>#TOpoli</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/WiTOpoli?src=hash”>#WiTOpoli</a> <a href=”http://t.co/L7IDjZKC19″>pic.twitter.com/L7IDjZKC19</a></p>— Olivia Chow (@oliviachow) <a href=”https://twitter.com/oliviachow/status/521482947124559872″>October 13, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>This is appalling and upsetting. Racist nonsense that has no place in our great city. <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithMunira?src=hash”>#IStandWithMunira</a> <a href=”http://t.co/iWaboL18Xi”>pic.twitter.com/iWaboL18Xi</a></p>— Alex Mazer (@alexmazer) <a href=”https://twitter.com/alexmazer/status/521145202032271360″>October 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Proud of you <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a> your a role model to many, sending my support from <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ldnont?src=hash”>#ldnont</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithMunira?src=hash”>#IStandWithMunira</a></p>— Mohamed MO Salih (@MohamedMOSalih) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MohamedMOSalih/status/521319265212063745″>October 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Many Canadians denounced the graffiti’s message telling Abukar to “go home”.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a> Just read about the defacement of your campaign signs. Don’t listen to the idiots. You ARE home, & we’re happy you’re here :-)</p>— Suresh Singaratnam (@whoissuresh) <a href=”https://twitter.com/whoissuresh/status/521627284051353600″>October 13, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>.<a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/ivortossell”>@ivortossell</a> This is your home, Munira. The coward who scrawled this message is the person who doesn’t understand Canada.</p>— Tim Grant (@votetimgrant) <a href=”https://twitter.com/votetimgrant/status/520998108990570496″>October 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/BuraleWard1″>@BuraleWard1</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a> Regardless of where she was born this is disgusting & proves that there is a need to keep pushing ahead</p>— Laurie Reece (@CndnSheepdog) <a href=”https://twitter.com/CndnSheepdog/status/521033805315190784″>October 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Canadians, especially those in Toronto, discussed the racial politics that have played into the Toronto elections.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/HibaqG”>@HibaqG</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/robfordmustgo”>@robfordmustgo</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar”>@MuniraAbukar</a> Don’t believe all Torontonians r like this because we’re not. A negligible number are ignoramuses.Sorry</p>— Susan DeSante (@DeSanSus) <a href=”https://twitter.com/DeSanSus/status/521534600502607873″>October 13, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>This election has really brought out Toronto’s uglier side but seeing all the support on Twitter with <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithMunira?src=hash”>#IStandWithMunira</a> keeps me hopeful.</p>— Joyita Sengupta (@Joyita_Sengupta) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Joyita_Sengupta/status/521223701606703104″>October 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Abukar thanked Twitter users for the support, which caused #IStandWithMunira to trend in Toronto.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Wow. I’m moved beyond words at the support, love, and solidarity I have received. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithMunira?src=hash”>#IStandWithMunira</a> is trending in TO <a href=”http://t.co/3XdzDXfs4w”>pic.twitter.com/3XdzDXfs4w</a></p>— Munira for Ward 2 (@MuniraAbukar) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MuniraAbukar/status/521138433595834368″>October 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
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