Exactly what compels a moment of silence in Surrey council chambers is a matter of discretion, as demonstrated Monday evening when, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Mayor Doug McCallum called for reflection on the passing of basketball star Kobe Bryant.
“I was quite surprised, to be honest, that he did that, but that’s the mayor’s prerogative,” said Coun. Brenda Locke, who nevertheless said Sunday’s passing of Bryant and eight others in a helicopter crash saddened her.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Locke when questioned on whether council missed an opportunity to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp on the same day it marked the passing of the basketball star who has no apparent connection to Surrey.
Monday was the second time in as many weeks that a moment of silence has been called by a council member.
On January 13, Coun. Jack Hundial called for a moment of silence for the January 8 Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crash that killed Surrey teacher Niloo Razzaghi-Khamsin and her family. While McCallum’s Bryant tribute came near the start of Monday’s meeting, Hundial’s call for silence, which was authorized by McCallum as the chair, came at the end of that meeting, when it appeared apparent to him such a moment was not going to be called by anyone else.
“Quite often what we do, and should do, is recognize moments of silence when there has been a significant tragedy when it impacts our community. We had a Surrey teacher who was killed, so it was a little close to home,” said Hundial.
If council members are to call for moments of silence for events that have no direct or immediate impact on local residents, Hundial said “a recognition of the Holocaust would have been appropriate” Monday evening.
Hundial said he was also mindful on Monday about the upcoming third anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting that killed six people.
“I would have rather had a moment of silence for our members of the Muslim community for that tragedy,” as opposed to Bryant, said Hundial, adding he’s unaware of any council policy on moments of silence.
“It’s confusing for a lot of us,” said Hundial.
Locke said she understood the chair to be the council member who would typically call for moments of silence.
Coun. Laurie Guerra said she did not find the Bryant tribute odd, when asked.
“No, not at all,” Guerra said. “I think it was just because it was such a huge shock all over the world. That was something the mayor chose.
“I just think it’s very respectful. There are many things to be worried about; I wouldn’t take issue with something like that.”
On Monday, Guerra proclaimed – on behalf of council – next week in Surrey to be United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week to “raise awareness of religious intolerance.”
McCallum’s office did not respond for a request to explain his thought process on commemorating Bryant. Hundial, Locke and Guerra said they were not made aware of McCallum’s call for a moment of silence before the meeting.
The Centre for Judaism of the Lower Fraser Valley in South Surrey declined to comment. The Jewish Federation of Greater 麻豆传媒映画did not respond to a request for comment.
Numerous studies and polls show more people in the West are forgetting the Holocaust in so much that they know little to nothing about it.
On Monday, the Government of Canada issued a statement on the Holocaust.
“As the years following the Holocaust grow, and the voices of survivors are fewer, it is vital that we work together to ensure that future generations of Canadians learn about this dark chapter so it is never forgotten,” read part of the statement.
