SURREY, B.C. - The BC Muslim Association has called on Conservative Party of BC Leader Lorne Doerkson to fire campaign director Katy Merrifield over a series of anti-Islam social media posts. In a statement released October 12, the BCMA - the largest organization of Muslims in BC - said Merrifield’s posts “cannot be dismissed as a single mistake, a momentary lapse in judgment, or a private matter.” “A campaign director is not a minor or incidental role. A person in that position helps shape strategy, messaging, tone, and public engagement for a political party seeking to govern this province,” the BCMA said. The association called on Doerkson to “address this matter urgently and remove Ms. Merrifield from any campaign leadership or public-facing role,” and asked the party to issue a public apology to Muslim British Columbians. Merrifield has said her original post was a momentary lapse because of past trauma, but has not apologized. The BC NDP release lists four additional posts she amplified over the last four months, including posts calling Islam “a literal rape culture” and blaming Islam for the 9/11 attacks. BC NDP candidate Grace Lore also responded: “Katy - trauma and violence can impact us in so many ways. I’m the first to recognize that. But two days later you reposted someone saying ‘Islam is a literal rape culture’ and just last month you reposted ‘New Yorkers got a jihad-loving mayor.’ These posts are all still up.” The calls come as the October 24 provincial election enters its final two weeks. Source: BC NDP Media Centre (https://www.bcndp.ca/releases/bc-muslim-association-joins-calls-merrifields-firing)
BC Muslim Association joins calls for Conservative campaign director Merrifield’s firing
