Rallies and counter-protests about school policies on gender identity were held outside the B.C. legislature and at other locations across Canada on Wednesday (Sept. 20) 害羞草研究所� with the Victoria Police Department ending up asking people to vacate the area because the protests had become 害羞草研究所渦nsafe.害羞草研究所�
The organizers of the initial event called themselves 1 Million March 4 Children and say they are 害羞草研究所渁dvocating for the elimination of the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools.害羞草研究所�
But a large number of counter-protesters gathered outside the legislature in solidarity with 2LGBTQ2SAI+ communities and in support of SOGI curriculum 害羞草研究所� vastly outnumbering the anti-SOGI group. VicPD estimated the total crowd at approximately 2,500 people.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 so proud of Victoria for coming out in droves to counter this protest,害羞草研究所� said Jane Constable, a counter-protester from Saanich. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 a mother, and I think what害羞草研究所檚 going on today is saddening. We far outnumber the protest. It害羞草研究所檚 so important for us to come out to counter this message.害羞草研究所�
The Victoria Police Department said in a news release at 2:23 p.m. that the area had become 害羞草研究所渦nsafe害羞草研究所� and asked people to leave and avoid coming to the legislature.
害羞草研究所淭wo arrests have been made and the organizers of the planned demonstration have left the area,害羞草研究所� said VicPD in the release. 害羞草研究所淰icPD and Public Safety Unit officers will remain in the area until the crowd has dispersed. The planned temporary road closures will not occur. VicPD supports everyone害羞草研究所檚 right to safe, peaceful and lawful protest, and asks that all citizens respect this right. Dangerous or unlawful activity will continue to be met with de-escalation and enforcement.害羞草研究所�
Following escalating tensions at a large demonstration in front of the BC Legislature today, with approximately 2,500 people in attendance, VicPD Officers are asking participants to leave, and for others to avoid the area.
害羞草研究所� Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada)
Read More:
According to Statistics Canada, of the nearly 30.5 million people in Canada aged 15 and older living in a private household in May 2021, 100,815 were transgender (59,460) or non-binary (41,355).
害羞草研究所淚 came here to support the transgender community and my friend害羞草研究所檚 children who are in the community,害羞草研究所� said Jason Balaam, a counter-protester from Central Saanich. 害羞草研究所淚 have no desire to see schools go back to the way they were in the 害羞草研究所�70s and 害羞草研究所�80s when it was dangerous for children. I hope those who walked by us today see that love is winning. Love is a force that can害羞草研究所檛 be stopped.害羞草研究所�
New Brunswick害羞草研究所檚 government has restricted the rights of children under the age of 16 to use their preferred first names or pronouns at school.
害羞草研究所淲ithout hesitation, I denounce threats, hate and violence against 2SLGBTQIA+ communities,害羞草研究所� Premier David Eby said in a letter to B.C. Teachers害羞草研究所� Federation president Clint Johnston.
Eby also addressed students.
害羞草研究所淲e may not have met. I may not know your name and I may not know your favourite music, but I want you to know this: I accept you for who you are in every way. My job as premier is to ensure you all have a safe learning environment, so you can pursue your dreams.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所� With files from Wolf Depner
ALSO READ:
