“That’s what scares me.” Canadian MP condemns Nazi and Confederate symbols at antivax rally

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“In some people’s eyes I am not equal nor should I be free.”   After confederate flags and swastikas were seen at an antivax rally outside the Canadian parliament, MP Greg Fergus gave this powerful speech ...

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00:00Even after 188 years since the abolition of slavery in Canada,

00:05in some people's eyes, I am not equal, nor should I be free.

00:13This is why I celebrate Black History.

00:15Every February, I normally rise to encourage parliamentarians and Canadians

00:31to celebrate Black History Month.

00:33These are not normal times.

00:35This past weekend, a small minority thought it acceptable

00:40to bring swastikas and confederate flags to Parliament Hill.

00:45Let's not mince words.

00:47The confederate flag is a symbol for slavery.

00:51Whips deformed black bodies.

00:54Forced labour mangled limbs.

00:58Torture almost always preceded lynchings.

01:03Intellectually, I know that very, very few people today

01:10would support what the confederate flag represented.

01:14I will assume that the confederate flag was tolerated this weekend

01:20out of respect for the individual's freedom of expression.

01:25However, in my heart, I was left wondering,

01:31who else supports this flag?

01:34Without real-time denunciations, how am I to know?

01:41That's what scares me.

01:45Even after 188 years since the abolition of slavery in Canada,

01:51in some people's eyes, I am not equal, nor should I be free.

01:58This is why I celebrate black history, black Canadian history,

02:04every February and throughout the year.

02:20For more UN videos visit www.un.org

02:23And don't forget to like this video and subscribe to Al Jazeera.

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