It may be hard to believe in this day and age but racial discrimination is still alive and well - even in Kamloops.

On Thursday, the Kamloops Immigrant Society will try to counteract that with a gathering in North Kamloops.

"There are still people who . . . perceive difference as something to look down on," said Paul Lagace, society executive director.

The gathering and the walk is an annual commemoration of International Day to End Racial Discrimination, which was established to remember the Sharpeville, South Africa, massacre of 1960.

That's when police fired into a crowd of protesters that had gathered in front of the police station, killing 69 people.

He suggested elements of racism still continue here, even if it's something as simple as giving someone the cold shoulder.

The issue of illegal immigration, a problem elsewhere that also fuels racists' justifications, is not pervasive in Kamloops, he said.

The Kamloops event begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday with a celebration at Spirit Square involving an opening prayer and drumming by First Nations groups and presentations by local politicians.

The crowd will then walk to the Immigrant Society building at 448 Tranquille Road where a hotdog fundraiser, presentations and multicultural performances will be on display inside.

"It's important for communities to be more accepting and aware that (racism) is present," said event co-organizer Amy Verhey, "and try as best as we can to put a stop to it and have our communities welcome and open."