Stopping hate and creating change in our community

King’s alumnae Zahra Khawaja ’22 (Honours Specialization in Political Science and a Minor in Social Justice and Peace Studies) and Kinga Lamphier ’16 (Honours Specialization in French Language and Literature and Major in Social Justice and Peace Studies) are utilizing the tools gained from their studies at King’s in spearheading the City of London’s Stop Tolerhating campaign. The public awareness initiative aims to tackle hate and discrimination while empowering bystanders, promoting allyship, and supporting equity-denied groups.  

Launched in October 2024, the Stop Tolerhating campaign has been supported by a $500,000 investment from the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. The campaign was developed in partnership with over 60 community organizations, with guidance and direction from The Anti-Hate Pilot Project Steering Committee, comprised of members from local public sector organizations. The campaign began in response to alarming trends, such as the 270% increase in reports of hate crimes in London since 2019.

“These aren’t distant issues—they’re happening right here in our city. The statistics have been really eye-opening for many Londoners, and I think that’s exactly what makes this campaign so powerful—it forces people to see the reality of hate in our city.” says Khawaja.

Lamphier emphasizes that addressing hate goes beyond policy—it’s about ensuring everyone feels safe and valued in their community. She hopes the campaign sparks reflection, encourages people to acknowledge such issues and inspires action. “Hate and racism are not abstract issues—they exist here in London, and they deeply affect the lives of equity-denied communities,” she says.

The Stop Tolerhating campaign is both a challenge to the belief that London is “not that bad” compared other places, and an opportunity to bring those issues to light, encourage meaningful conversations, and provide tangible resources for action.

The campaign is built on two core pillars: awareness and action. It uses citywide marketing efforts and a robust website to educate Londoners about the challenges equity-denied groups face and provide tools to combat discrimination. Through this local initiative, Khawaja and Lamphier aim to foster a city where even small steps—calling out harmful behaviour or learning about others' lived experiences—can make a difference in making everyone feel safe and valued.

Stop Tolerhating has received an incredible response, including a wave of support from community members, leaders, and organizations. Community partners have embraced the campaign and shared materials through their social media, newsletters and within their own spaces. Many Londoners have recounted their own stories and experiences with hate. There has also been interest from other municipalities to implement similar initiatives.

“It’s encouraging to see such strong engagement and a collective willingness to address these issues head-on,” says Lamphier.

Khawaja says that “through a lot of questions and conversations, it’s been a real learning experience on both ends. That’s what this campaign is really about—challenging perceptions, unlearning biases, understanding different perspectives, and committing to growth.  That’s the impact we’re aiming for.”

Lamphier and Khawaja both say their studies at King’s, learning the principles of social justice, helped them realize how they could turn academic theory into meaningful community impact.

Lamphier says studying Social Justice & Peace Studies at King’s taught her that “real change happens when people come together to challenge injustice and build solutions.” These studies have shaped how she approaches her work at the City of London. Equity, inclusion, and meaningful community engagement remain at the core of everything she does.

The education Khawaja received at King’s opened her eyes to the ways advocacy and policy can create change. “From classes that taught the history and knowledge of different equity-denied groups, intersectionality, and forms of oppression and privilege to the experiential learning in Rondine, Italy, the programs at King’s gave me the background to confidently lead the Stop Tolerhating campaign.”

From her first day as an intern at the City of London and her current role as the Anti-Hate Project Coordinator, Khawaja saw how her coursework, discussions and assignments were directly applicable to her work. Her professors, classmates, programs and extracurriculars didn’t just teach her theories; they gave her tools to apply in real-world situations. She didn’t have to pull from textbooks. Instead, she had practical and “real world” knowledge she could use to drive change.

Khawaja says it is very meaningful to have King’s as part of the campaign’s steering committee. “Knowing that the same institution that shaped my passion for equity and justice is now helping to lead this work alongside me is a full-circle moment,” she says.

“London is a vibrant, diverse community and my hope is that this campaign inspires us all to continue living with love, respect, and kindness for everyone,” she adds.

Discover more about the campaign on the Stop Tolerhating website, which serves as a hub for education, support, and actionable steps to help create a safer, more inclusive London.