Winnipeg's Professional Sports Teams Unite for 'Hate is not Welcome Here' Initiative

WINNIPEG - The first anti-hate game is almost upon us. Winnipeg’s six professional sports teams have come together to assist in the delivery of this joint initiative with a simple message: Hate is Not Welcome Here.

For selected games that are part of the initiative, complimentary blocks of tickets are being distributed to various groups and organizations.

On Thursday, June 15, the Winnipeg Sea Bears welcome the Brampton Honey Badgers at Canada Life Centre. A massive crowd is expected, including representatives from the Ethiopian, Portuguese, Irish, Romanian, Cuban, Caribbean, Croatian, Filipino and Polish pavilions as well as individuals associated with Jewish Child and Family Service, Anti-Racism in Sport, Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council, First Peoples Development, Winnipeg Aboriginal Sports Achievement Centre, Aurora Family Therapy, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba, both the Yazidi & Kurdish communities, and more.

“The response has been incredible”, said Rob Berkowits, spokesperson for the initiative. “All available tickets for the Sea Bears game were secured quickly.”

Donors to this initiative, coordinated by the Rady JCC, include Ruth and David Asper, Cheryl and Earl Barish, Joanne and Sam Katz of Kay Four Properties, Sandra and Sheldon Earn, as well as both The Mark & Dorothy Danzker Trust and The Grosberg Family Fund that are housed at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

"I grew up facing hate in the form of anti-semitism," said Sea Bears owner and chairman David Asper. "The players, coaches and staff of the Sea Bears come from different backgrounds, yet come together as a team with no regard for anything other than the measure of each other's character. That's where we need to be as a society, and why we're proud to support this initiative."

“Through the leadership of Winnipeg’s professional sport clubs and supporting organizations, our powerful message will curb the hate epidemic affecting so many people of all backgrounds, faiths, genders and sexual orientations,” Berkowits added.

Fans will unite  at Canada Life Centre when the Sea Bears take the court Thursday at 7 p.m. against the visiting Brampton Honey Badgers. For tickets, visit seabears.ca/tickets.

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