A12 THE FREE PRESS COMMENT JUNE 11, 2000 Tm sorry’ for racism article Editor: I am a 17 year old high school student and I tend to have prejudice beliefs. I spoke to a reporter on May 24,2000. This interview was to be based on the hate-free law that could be enforced in Prince George. This reporter, Cam McAlpine, asked a few brief questions about the law and then moved on to asking about mine and Krista’s personal beliefs. Unfortunately, we made the mistake of telling him and therefore telling the entire city of Prince George. The good non-racist people of Prince George have decided to react to this article by making obscene phone calls to my parents homes, calling us (me and Krista) confused teens, and telling us that we are speaking “drivel”. Some have found it effective to use violence against me. I feel sorry for these non-racist people, who are in fact being prejudice, if not racist towards me for having my own personal beliefs, I apologize to the people that I have hurt by having my personal beliefs splashed all over the front page of The Free Press. These people include my Granny and Grandpa, my Dad, Mom, sister, brother, and step dad, my aunts and uncles and cousins. Also Lloyd, Melissa and family, Jon, Ryan and Kristy, (who are not white supremacists) for even getting them involved in this. I want to thank Carl for standing with me that Monday morning, Doris and Connie for being there for me. I was wrong for sharing my beliefs but I am not sorry for having beliefs. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I am one of them. It is not right to condemn me for my personal beliefs. I am a teenage girl that made a serious mistake 66 I am not violent or to be mistaken for a monster. Marianne Walker and I have learned more than anyone can know from this. I am not violent or to be mistaken for a monster. I am just a girl that has very strong opinions. All in all I am sorry for having my beliefs revealed to a non-racist society. To all the non-racists in Prince George, please accept my sincerest apologies and in return respect my simple request of leaving my family alone, and refrain from using violence or prejudice to support your “non-racial” beliefs. I want to send a heart felt apology to my Granny, who is of Native Indian decent. I am certainly not ashamed of you or anything you stand for. I never meant to hurt you like this. Please accept my apology. Marianne Walker Write On! The Free Press welcomes letters to the editor but we reserve the right to edit for brevity, clarity and legality. Letters should be around 250 words, preferably typewritten and include the phone number of the writer (for verification purposes only). Unsigned letters won’t run. TABMCLAWD OVERSTOCKED |UNDERPBtoED iBLOWfUT Massive i Inventory Reduction ON NOW? 'Refers to Fabricland Sewing Club Members POLYESTERS, SUITINGS, SPORTSWEAR, CHAMBRAY, DENIM (f CORD Incredible variety! All stock! ‘Members 30%ro 70%™ FLEECE FEINTS (f SOLIDS All Stock! ‘Members OFF prict mm HOME DECOR FABRICS All regular stock ‘Members OFF 40% price UNEN LOOKS, SPECIAL OCCASION, KIDS PRINTS, FLANNELETTE Huge selection! All stock! ‘Members 30%TO 70% OFF price {TABRICLmD) Mon. - Wed. & Sot. 9:30om-5:30pm Thur. & Fri. 9:30am-9:00pm Sunday Noon-5:00pm PRINCE GEORGE 19 2299 WESTWOOD DRIVE Phone 563-3882 jK fabricland Sewing Club Members r -w Value Hotline 563-7253 The Prince George Rotaract Club wishes to Thank everyone who contributed to making the Waterspray Park a reality for the children of Prince George. Construction of the Waterspray Park will begin in July and is scheduled to open to the public at the beginning of August. Sponsors of the Waterspray Park include the following: GOLD SPONSORS PG Hydro Mechanical City of Prince George Nechako Rotary Club Downtown Rotary Club SILVER SPONSORS Yellowhead Rotary Club South Fort George Community Assoc New Caledonia Rotary Club The PG Citizen FMC of Canada BRONZE SPONSORS Cariboo Real Estate Board KFC Seven Seas Travel PG Spruce Kings PG Cougars Philipino Community Assoc. Jack & Susan Schultz Rising Sun Karate Club Molly Rustad and Family John Orlowski Spee Dee Printers PLAQUE SPONSORS "Kyle, Jared” & Dale Donovan & Kari & Frank Koch "Cody, Brandon’ & Rebecca Scotiabank-Main Accounting Rita Freimuller AJ & JN Freese Mildred Allen & Family N. Van Caeseele and Family R & H Hladchuk and Family Dr. Larry Anderson Caitlyn & Derek Angela Harkins Nicole & Melanie Apps Carter Aspinall landon Aspinall Adoptive Parents Assoc, of P.G, Harwin Community Assoc. (6 plaques) Papa Ed Bachmann Arnold Ballum Barbara Ballum C.T. Ballum Jason Ballum Kenzie Ballum Shirley Ballum Ross & Terry Barnes Beyond Bearing Andy Beesley Haley Bellamy Sabnna Bergeron Tristan Bergeron Connor Beverley Big Brothers - Big Sisters In Memory of Bill Spurr In Memory of Bob McFarlane Kayla E. Bourque Strike Zone Bowling Centre Residents of Bowron Place Rhonda Brett Tara Brett Weatherly & Brown Law Corp. (4 plaques) Shawn Michael Brunt Michael Burkitt Robert Burkitt Danny & Patrick Burton Layton Byl Taylor Byl Darwin & Janet Cassidy & Family Darcy M. Cavanaugh Lorelie E. Cavanaugh Gillian Cartier Charles Cartier Jeremy Cheswortb Kentucky Fried Chicken Can. Northern Children's Fest (2 plaques) Mrs. Nola Christensen John & George Christiansen Christopher C-D Christina L-J Maximillian A. Clark Hamilton Early Childhood Class of 1998 From TD Bank Clients & Staff In Memory of Colleen Cusson Amanda Colville Scotiabank-Main Commercial Edmond Constantineau Jerrat Construction Stanley Consulting Chilako Consulting Ltd. Forklore Contracting Ltd. Robert Cooper Jerry & Thelma Courneyea Varma Crofts Brenda Cunningham Scotiabank-Main Customer Service Johnathan M T. Dale North Country Dancers In Memory of Dave Raymenl Dawn Deryck & Dave Wilchek In Memory of David Ferris PG Family Daycare Society Carson Dean Valerie Delorme Brent Dexter Carrie Dexter Fort George District Staff Peden Hitt 97/98 Division 3 Tribute to Don Robinson In Memory of Doris Alder Valerie Kordyban Doug McConnery Boston Pizza Downtown Sean Doyle D P. Todd Dry Grad 1999 Bonnie Duchscherer Early Childhood Ed - Caledonia Kaitlin Nicole Eileen Toews Gladstone Elementary Canada Post Employees St. B (2 plaques) GeoNorth Engineering Ltd. 2161 Enterprises Elizabeth Erickson Kathy & Bob Evert Linden Fabricating Ltd. Allan Lund Family Austad Family Boehmer Family Djonlic Family Ferris Family The Brizan Family Waller Family The Wonders Family Vander-Velden Family Northern Child & Family Clinic Intersect Youth & Family Services Lindsay & Emily Fetterly Northern Lights Fireworks Ltd. Evy Fisher Dylan Forbes Tyler Forbes Good Cheer Club Formed in 1922 David Foster Bailey Fraser Cole & Cassie Fraser Jeremy Fraser Ernest Freimuiler Jr. Cameron J. Galloway Meaghan Galloway Coelle Glazier Riley Glazier Chantel Graham Tyler Graham Chamberlain Grandchildren George Grandchildren Quesnel Grandchildren Lakewood Dental Group 2nd Pr George Guides 97/98 Elaine Harding John Harding Julie Harding Doris Alder Harwin C.A. Doris Alder Harwin P.A.C. Bill & Cathy Hellyer Russell I. Hepburn Garret Hill Emily & Thomas Hobbs Kelly Hochachka Dave & Lona Hodgson Alison & David Hoskins Andrea Husack Civic Centre & ICL Staff Lisa Jean Ireland In Memory of Ivan McFadyen Arleigh C. Jamieson Clark B Jamieson Joan D. Jamieson Sara K. Jamieson If you have any inquiries or would tike to make a donation please contact the Rotaract Club at 612-8588