The Black Advocacy Coalition Up North (BACupNorth) posted a statement on its Facebook page, Nov. 2 condemning comments City of Yellowknife Coun. Niels Konge made during a city committee meeting the day before.

The advocacy group is demanding a public apology from Konge after he compared limiting access to public spaces for people who choose not to be vaccinated to past segregation policies barring Black people from sitting at the front of pubic transit.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are shocked and disappointed that Coun. Konge found it appropriate to make such a comparison,SA国际影视传媒� the statement reads.

It says comments of this ilk SA国际影视传媒渞eveal a severe lack of understanding of the issues that Black people faced and perpetuates the inequities and discrimination that Black people continue to experience today.SA国际影视传媒�

BACupNorth closed the statement saying it SA国际影视传媒渄emands that Coun. Konge give a public apology to the Black community immediately and that he educates himself to a better understanding on the issues racialized communities face prior to making future comments.SA国际影视传媒�

When Yellowknifer reached Konge for comment at 4:40 pm on Nov. 2, Konge said he had yet to see the news release from BACupNorth, as he was travelling, but said he had already directed the City of Yellowknife to issue an apology.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 an apology thatSA国际影视传媒檚 coming out, if it hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 already,SA国际影视传媒� Konge said. SA国际影视传媒淚 asked the city to put it out.SA国际影视传媒�

Yellowknifer asked the city for details about the atonement, including when Konge requested the apology be issued and the nature of its contents, but a city spokesperson said, SA国际影视传媒淚t is the City of YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 understanding that Coun. Konge will be issuing an apology in relation to comments he made at yesterdaySA国际影视传媒檚 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.SA国际影视传媒�

Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty posted on Facebook, Nov. 2, condemning the comments.

SA国际影视传媒淚n yesterdaySA国际影视传媒檚 discussion about whether to implement a proof of vaccine policy for city facilities, there was a comparison to racist policies and segregation. Comparing a policy on public health measures to a racist policy is completely unacceptable,SA国际影视传媒� AltySA国际影视传媒檚 statement reads. SA国际影视传媒淧ublic health measures are put in place for the health and safety of residents. People may disagree about whether the measures are effective, but the intent of the policy is the health and safety of residents. The same cannot be said for racist policies, and the severity and harm of racist policies and segregation is not comparable.SA国际影视传媒�