Written by Mina Yu, CRHESI Student Collective, Community Engaged Learning placement, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Western University
In 2024, the City of London launched the Stop Tolerhating campaign in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion (CRHESI) and over 60 local organizations. This initiative aims to confront hate, racism, and other forms of discrimination and stigma through City-wide education, collaboration and empowerment activities, fostering a more inclusive and equitable community.
During an interview with Zahra, Project Coordinator for the Anti-Hate Project, Stop Tolerhating, from the Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Division, City of London, involved in the campaign’s development and pilot launch, their passion for this project was obvious. Zahra shared that their personal experiences navigating discrimination inspired them to be a part of this initiative. “There’s so much power in starting something in your own community,” Zahra explained, emphasizing their commitment to making resources and support accessible to those facing hate and its impacts.
The campaign employs a multi-pronged approach, blending transformative media strategies, public education, and direct engagement with equity-denied communities. Guided by principles of intersectionality, the campaign is based on the knowledge that individuals often experience discrimination through overlapping identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
The campaign’s collaborative nature is one of its greatest strengths. It draws insights from equity-denied groups—including Black, Indigenous, Muslim, and LGBTQIA+ communities—through one-on-one conversations, surveys, and guided data-sharing sessions. Zahra described how these conversations revealed unique challenges, such as the lack of resources for Indigenous health in rural areas and the rise of online hate targeting Muslim communities. These insights directly shaped the development of educational content and resources for the campaign, ensuring relevance and impact.
The campaign also addresses broader audiences through its accessible website and social media presence. The website is designed to provide quick, easy access to crisis hotlines, anti-racism education, and tools for fostering anti-racist practices for individuals and organizations in the health, social services, business and educational sectors. Social media platforms amplify these resources and provide posts that inspire reflection by presenting educational content in an approachable way.
This Stop Tolerhating team recognizes the challenges of combating hate, ranging from resistance by individuals who deny the existence or severity of discrimination to those who refuse to change—particularly when they are not directly impacted or perceive advantages in maintaining the status quo. However, Zahra emphasized the importance of grounding the campaign in facts and meaningful engagement. “We’ve received a mix of feedback, but seeing how it resonates with the community makes it worth it.”
As Stop Tolerhating evolves, the campaign will continue adapting to emerging challenges and societal needs, such as the rise of anti-Asian racism post-COVID-19. With this flexibility, the campaign remains dynamic, responsive, and rooted in its mission to build a more inclusive London. The ultimate reward is fostering a city where diversity is celebrated, and hate is no longer tolerated. The passion and leadership of those involved in this project are the driving forces behind this transformative initiative.
Together, CRHESI, the City of London, and their collaborators are proving that tackling hate requires bold strategies, sustained commitment, and the collective voices of a diverse community.