Job Rejection Letter Sends Shock Waves Through Community; Justice for Jama Coalition Forms
TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Jama Hagi-Yusuf first generated national headlines and community shock after a financial services firm rejected his application citing Somalia's "culture of resistance to authority." He since retained a lawyer, Saron Gebresellassi, and filed a case at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Over a year after the original incident, the case is set down for mediation. This comes in the wake of the province's newly-established Anti-Racism Directorate mandated to collaborate with the community, business organizations, government and the Ontario Human Rights Commission to eliminate systemic racism. The Justice for Jama Coalition, comprised of advocates, community organizers, youth and activists, invites you to join us for a bilingual press conference and community showing following the court date at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario where mediation is scheduled to occur.
"It is a rare and unusual day when an Employer is accused of racial discrimination in writing. This has left community members shocked, appalled and dismayed. This case represents an opportunity to toughen efforts to wipe out discrimination in our province," says Saron Gebresellassi, Legal Counsel.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Jama Hagi-Yusuf, the complainant, and Saron Gebresellassi, Legal Counsel, will be available for comment in French and English should the case be proceeding to a full and final hearing.*
WHAT: Bilingual Press Conference and Community Showing
WHERE: 655 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario (Outside the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario)
WHEN: Tuesday November 8 2016
TIME: 5:30 PM
Legal Counsel: Saron Gebresellassi
Complainant/'Plaintiff': Jama Hagi-Yusuf
Speakers:
Jagmeet Singh, Deputy Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party
Sandy Hudson, Black Lives Matter
Gilary Massa, I Stand With Gilary Committee
Ismael Nagdee Machado, High School Student and Member of the Justice for Jama Coalition
A Representative from Urban Alliance on Race Relations
MEDIA COVERAGE:
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6761558-waterloo-grad-demoralized-after-job-rejection-letter-cites-somali-culture/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/job-posting-somalia-background-discrimination-1.3668307
http://news.nationalpost.com/tag/jama-hagi-yusuf
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/07/08/jama-hagi-yusuf-job-rejection-somali_n_10891730.html
*Allegations have not yet been proven in court.
SOURCE Justice for Jama Coalition
Saron Gebresellassi, Litigation Lawyer, Phone: 416-854-6645
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