10 incoming councillors, trustees say recent coverage in Hamilton newspaper 'perpetuated anti-Black racism'

The new crop of elected officials in Hamilton promised to set a new tone in how the city is governed — some of them aren't waiting to be sworn in to start.

Five elected councillors and five elected public school board trustees, along with four people who ran in the municipal election, issued a joint statement Thursday, saying they're refusing to speak to the Hamilton Spectator over news coverage they call "dehumanizing" and "framed in a way that contributes to anti-Black racism."

The Hamilton Spectator, which launched in 1846, is open to feedback but defends its coverage, according to editor-in-chief Paul Berton.

The joint statement from the newly elected officials, most of whom were elected for the first time Monday, is co-signed by 14 people, representing almost half of the city's incoming public school board trustees and over a quarter of the new city council.

Those names include:

"We are refusing to speak to the Spectator, going forward, until it takes steps to acknowledge the harm it has caused, apologizes to those impacted, and comes up with an action plan that both addresses our concerns and is accountable to the communities and individuals who have been harmed by its actions," read the statement, which comes four days after the municipal election.

Karen Bird, a political science professor at McMaster University, said she's not sure there's a precedent for something like this in Hamilton before.

"Those that signed this are clearly making it known quite quickly they're going to do things differently … it's a sign anti-Black racism will be a priority," she said.

Many of those who signed the letter shared additional personal reasons on social media of why they supported the measure.

"During my campaign, I made it clear that I'm an ally for marginalized members of our community. These are not empty words," said Cassar. 

"As a new Councillor I promised to serve our ward; be a voice, advocate, and ally to all those in our community," said Hwang. 

"I wish it didn't have to begin this way, but I was not voted in only to be silent," said Noble.

The statement says a recent article in the newspaper prompted the letter — one about Hamilton police arresting a fourth person after a deadly home invasion and kidnapping last year. 

The statement mentions at least one other article published in the newspaper that, the group said, has made them feel "deeply concerned" that "racist views, especially anti-Black views, will continue to be given a platform in print media."