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) 含羞草研究社� with the Victoria Police Department ending up asking people to vacate the area because the protests had become 含羞草研究社渦nsafe.含羞草研究社�
The organizers of the initial event called themselves 1 Million March 4 Children and say they are 含羞草研究社渁dvocating for the elimination of the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools.含羞草研究社�
But a large number of counter-protesters gathered outside the legislature in solidarity with 2LGBTQ2SAI+ communities and in support of SOGI curriculum 含羞草研究社� vastly outnumbering the anti-SOGI group. VicPD estimated the total crowd at approximately 2,500 people.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 so proud of Victoria for coming out in droves to counter this protest,含羞草研究社� said Jane Constable, a counter-protester from Saanich. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 a mother, and I think what含羞草研究社檚 going on today is saddening. We far outnumber the protest. It含羞草研究社檚 so important for us to come out to counter this message.含羞草研究社�
The Victoria Police Department said in a news release at 2:23 p.m. that the area had become 含羞草研究社渦nsafe含羞草研究社� and asked people to leave and avoid coming to the legislature.
含羞草研究社淭wo arrests have been made and the organizers of the planned demonstration have left the area,含羞草研究社� said VicPD in the release. 含羞草研究社淰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含羞草研究社檚 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.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社� 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).
含羞草研究社淚 came here to support the transgender community and my friend含羞草研究社檚 children who are in the community,含羞草研究社� said Jason Balaam, a counter-protester from Central Saanich. 含羞草研究社淚 have no desire to see schools go back to the way they were in the 含羞草研究社�70s and 含羞草研究社�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含羞草研究社檛 be stopped.含羞草研究社�
New Brunswick含羞草研究社檚 government has restricted the rights of children under the age of 16 to use their preferred first names or pronouns at school.
含羞草研究社淲ithout hesitation, I denounce threats, hate and violence against 2SLGBTQIA+ communities,含羞草研究社� Premier David Eby said in a letter to B.C. Teachers含羞草研究社� Federation president Clint Johnston.
Eby also addressed students.
含羞草研究社淲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.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社� With files from Wolf Depner
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