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) 㽶Ƶֱ with the Victoria Police Department ending up asking people to vacate the area because the protests had become 㽶Ƶֱunsafe.㽶Ƶֱ
The organizers of the initial event called themselves 1 Million March 4 Children and say they are 㽶Ƶֱadvocating for the elimination of the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools.㽶Ƶֱ
But a large number of counter-protesters gathered outside the legislature in solidarity with 2LGBTQ2SAI+ communities and in support of SOGI curriculum 㽶Ƶֱ vastly outnumbering the anti-SOGI group. VicPD estimated the total crowd at approximately 2,500 people.
㽶ƵֱI㽶Ƶֱm so proud of Victoria for coming out in droves to counter this protest,㽶Ƶֱ said Jane Constable, a counter-protester from Saanich. 㽶ƵֱI㽶Ƶֱm a mother, and I think what㽶Ƶֱs going on today is saddening. We far outnumber the protest. It㽶Ƶֱs so important for us to come out to counter this message.㽶Ƶֱ
The Victoria Police Department said in a news release at 2:23 p.m. that the area had become 㽶Ƶֱunsafe㽶Ƶֱ and asked people to leave and avoid coming to the legislature.
㽶ƵֱTwo arrests have been made and the organizers of the planned demonstration have left the area,㽶Ƶֱ said VicPD in the release. 㽶ƵֱVicPD 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㽶Ƶֱs 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.㽶Ƶֱ
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.
㽶Ƶֱ Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada)
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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).
㽶ƵֱI came here to support the transgender community and my friend㽶Ƶֱs children who are in the community,㽶Ƶֱ said Jason Balaam, a counter-protester from Central Saanich. 㽶ƵֱI have no desire to see schools go back to the way they were in the 㽶Ƶֱ70s and 㽶Ƶֱ80s 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㽶Ƶֱt be stopped.㽶Ƶֱ
New Brunswick㽶Ƶֱs government has restricted the rights of children under the age of 16 to use their preferred first names or pronouns at school.
㽶ƵֱWithout hesitation, I denounce threats, hate and violence against 2SLGBTQIA+ communities,㽶Ƶֱ Premier David Eby said in a letter to B.C. Teachers㽶Ƶֱ Federation president Clint Johnston.
Eby also addressed students.
㽶ƵֱWe 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.㽶Ƶֱ
㽶Ƶֱ With files from Wolf Depner
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