There has been an escalation of police brutality during the pandemic, disproportionately harming Black, Indigenous, and poor people. Professor Beverly Bain joins The Radical Reverend to talk about the responsibility of scholars to oppose police violence, the Scholar Strike, and how No Pride in Policing was formed in response to anti-Black racism in the queer and trans movements in Canada.

Plus, in response to a need for safe housing during the pandemic, the city has reopened the previously vacant Roehampton Hotel in midtown Toronto as a shelter. It has been met with opposition from a group of local residents, some with genuine safety concerns, but many with a lot of misinformation. Faith leaders have gotten together and responded on behalf of the residents. Why an interfaith response?  Bishop Kevin Robertson, Rafi Aaron, and Rev. Alexa Gilmour explain that it's part of all our faiths to care for the most marginalized, to have love and compassion for those in need, and that it's our responsibility to fix a broken system that fails so many people. 

Guests:

Professor Beverly Bain [@BeverlyBain13], scholar in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto, co-founder of No Pride in Policing, co-organizer of Scholar Strike Canada

Bishop Kevin Robertson, area bishop of York-Scarborough in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto 

Rafi Aaron [@RafiInterfaith], spokesperson for The Interfaith Coalition to Fight Homelessness, co-chair of Beth Sholom/Beth Tzedec Out of the Cold shelter, and on the steering committee of the Shelter and Housing Justice Network

Rev. Alexa Gilmour, minister at Windermere United Church [@wind_uc], founder of Stone Soup Network, member of Faith in the City