Petition on Change.org: https://www.change.org/p/maurizio-bevilacqua-mayor-of-vaughan-rename-the-city-of-vaughan?recruiter=26067289&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
Send Email To:
maurizio.bevilacqua@vaughan.ca
rosanna.defrancesca@vaughan.ca
integrity.commissioner@vaughan.ca
Subject: Denounce Benjamin Vaughan
Email Body:
Dear all,
My name is __________ and I am writing to you today as a disappointed and concerned citizen of __________.
I have learned about the City of Vaughan’s namesake, Benjamin Vaughan. I understand that he was a British plantation and slave owner in Jamaica, and an active defender of slavery as a Member of Parliament in Engand.
I have also learned that the Civic Holiday in August honours Benjamin Vaughan and is referred to as Benjamin Vaughan Day. According to the City of Vaughan Newsroom, “Vaughan Council decided to rename the civic holiday to honour the significant impact Benjamin Vaughan had on this community”.
According to the York Region Inclusion Charter, signed by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua earlier this year, “The City strives to foster a culture that is inclusive and respectful...The City of Vaughan will continue to embrace human differences through its commitment to fostering equality, inclusiveness, respect and acceptance for everyone.”
I am outraged that the City of Vaughan has chosen to honour Benjamin Vaughan, despite his deplorable contribution to slavery and history generally. He has not had a significant impact on this community. Honouring his name and legacy directly acts against the commitment made by Mayor Bevilaqcua, on behalf of the City, in the York Region Inclusion Charter. Honouring him does not foster a culture that is inclusive or respectful. Honoring him does not embrace human difference. Honouring him directly disrespects the lives of all citizens who are descendants of those who were enslaved, abused, murdered and bred by slave masters, like Benjamin Vaughan.
Therefore, I make the following requests:
a) Publicly acknowledge and denounce Benjamin Vaughan’s role in history as a slave and plantation owner, and as a defender of slavery in his role as a Member of Parliament,
b) Select an individual to honour on the Civic Holiday that has actually made a significant contribution to our community, someone who is reflective of our community and our shared values, and do so beginning this year (August 2020),
c) Provide an outlet for citizen consultation in the process of selecting someone to honour on the Civic Holiday,
d) Publicly acknowledge and honour Jamaican history and culture, and that of other African and Caribbean communities. Actively work with community organizations such as the Vaughan African Canadian Association in order to celebrate and honour the community, and
e) Acknowledge this email and these calls to action in a timely manner. I recognize that these requests can not be fulfilled immediately, however we request acknowledgment that you have received these requests and transparency as to what is being done in order to eventually fulfill them.
2020 thus far has been a year of change and discomfort, however has provided us all the opportunity to learn and develop as a community. Let’s work together to be on the right side of history!
I sincerely thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Reference Links:
https://www.vaughan.ca/news/Pages/City-commemorates-Benjamin-Vaughan-on-Aug.-6-.aspx
Nicole Andrade, 6/12/2020