On Sept. 20, approximately 500 people gathered in downtown Kelowna for the 1 Million March For Children protesting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) education and resources in public schools.

There was a comparatively small group of counter-protesters as Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 queer advocacy groups issued a statement prior to the event suggesting that people stay away due to the risk of violence

Heather Lucier, a local pastor and march organizer explained the rally was really just about the narrow issue of 害羞草研究所減arents maintaining and having a right to decide what their children are taught in school.害羞草研究所�

However, counter-protesters and observers said that the rally seemed to be a facade for other, more nefarious and hate-filled messages.

Counter-protesters were witnessed being yelled at and called 害羞草研究所済roomers,害羞草研究所� while speeches called people offering gender-affirming care 害羞草研究所渃hild abusers.害羞草研究所�

Speeches were interspersed with chants of 害羞草研究所淐anada has one flag,害羞草研究所� being broadcast over megaphones.

Signs reading 害羞草研究所淚f you truly understood the LGBTQ agenda you would march with us to protect God害羞草研究所檚 children,害羞草研究所� were held alongside signs that said 害羞草研究所淪OGI is harming our children.害羞草研究所�

Counter-protester Jenny Newell, who is a 2SLGBTQIA+ ally and a parent, said she witnessed aggression including physical shoving and hate speech.