The head of the Downtown Business Association of Edmonton has resigned after writing “All Lives Matter” in a tweet..Ian O’Donnell recently tweeted using the hashtag #ALM – for All Lives Matter – which is seen by many as a rebuke of the Black Lives Matter hashtag which has grown into prominence the last two weeks..The June 4 tweet ignited a storm of protest and O’Donnell resigned Tuesday. His resignation was accepted by the DBA board on Wednesday..“The DBA’s mission is to support, connect and enrich Edmonton’s Downtown. We are committed to creating a Downtown that is diverse, inclusive and safe – and to advancing that vision in everything we do” the board of the DBA said after O’Donnell’s tweet..“For that reason, we were deeply disappointed and offended by comments made …by our executive director. In particular, using the phrase “all lives matter” was insensitive, disrespectful, and not reflective of our values. We thank all those who spoke up and raised their concerns.”.The board made public O’Donnell’s resignation letter..“Last week, I made comments on social media that I deeply regret,” O’Donnell wrote in his resignation letter..“I fully and completely apologize for using ‘ALM’, a term that is associated with hate and racism. I was wrong to use it and am sorry for the hurt that it has caused..“I plan on educating myself more about this and other issues around injustice, unconscious bias and systemic racism..“I have dedicated much of my life to community building and this comment has undone much of that work. I am disappointed that I have let others down, and I have let myself down..“While I am committed to re-earning the trust of our community partners, that work will take time, and I would not want my personal situation to compromise the DBA’s ability to meet its mandate during the remainder of my term..“With that in mind, I am submitting my resignation as Executive Director effective immediately. I remain a passionate advocate for Edmonton’s downtown, and will look to contribute to that vision in other ways.”.The BLM movement has come to the forefront the last two weeks after a white Minneapolis police officer killed a black man, George Floyd.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .The killing sparked two weeks of violent protests across the U.S. With people killed, thousands arrested and billions of dollars in damage caused..The protests in Canada have been largely peaceful, except one in Montreal that end in looting..The groundswell has cost one prominent Canadian, Stockwell Day, his jobs at CBC and Telus..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
The head of the Downtown Business Association of Edmonton has resigned after writing “All Lives Matter” in a tweet..Ian O’Donnell recently tweeted using the hashtag #ALM – for All Lives Matter – which is seen by many as a rebuke of the Black Lives Matter hashtag which has grown into prominence the last two weeks..The June 4 tweet ignited a storm of protest and O’Donnell resigned Tuesday. His resignation was accepted by the DBA board on Wednesday..“The DBA’s mission is to support, connect and enrich Edmonton’s Downtown. We are committed to creating a Downtown that is diverse, inclusive and safe – and to advancing that vision in everything we do” the board of the DBA said after O’Donnell’s tweet..“For that reason, we were deeply disappointed and offended by comments made …by our executive director. In particular, using the phrase “all lives matter” was insensitive, disrespectful, and not reflective of our values. We thank all those who spoke up and raised their concerns.”.The board made public O’Donnell’s resignation letter..“Last week, I made comments on social media that I deeply regret,” O’Donnell wrote in his resignation letter..“I fully and completely apologize for using ‘ALM’, a term that is associated with hate and racism. I was wrong to use it and am sorry for the hurt that it has caused..“I plan on educating myself more about this and other issues around injustice, unconscious bias and systemic racism..“I have dedicated much of my life to community building and this comment has undone much of that work. I am disappointed that I have let others down, and I have let myself down..“While I am committed to re-earning the trust of our community partners, that work will take time, and I would not want my personal situation to compromise the DBA’s ability to meet its mandate during the remainder of my term..“With that in mind, I am submitting my resignation as Executive Director effective immediately. I remain a passionate advocate for Edmonton’s downtown, and will look to contribute to that vision in other ways.”.The BLM movement has come to the forefront the last two weeks after a white Minneapolis police officer killed a black man, George Floyd.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .The killing sparked two weeks of violent protests across the U.S. With people killed, thousands arrested and billions of dollars in damage caused..The protests in Canada have been largely peaceful, except one in Montreal that end in looting..The groundswell has cost one prominent Canadian, Stockwell Day, his jobs at CBC and Telus..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
