Silence is not an option: BC Civil Liberties Association weighs in on weekend protests
Posted August 17, 2017 11:24 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A pair of protests planned in response to last weekend’s deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia is going ahead on Saturday on the grounds of Vancouver City Hall.
The BC Civil Liberties Association is weighing in, with the head of that organization saying he plans to be there in person to make sure his voice is heard.
“One of the most important responses to hate speech, is counter-speech,” says Executive Director Josh Paterson. He feels anyone who values inclusion and diversity has a duty to be there.
“We don’t think that people who are committed to equality and human rights ought to stay silent when faced with these kinds of messages being broadcast,” he explains. “We think it’s really important that we speak out.”
Paterson hopes both sides can agree to disagree peacefully.
“We understand that the city and the police are taking measures to try and make sure that everything does unfold in that way and we hope that everyone will be operating within those parameters.”
Dueling demonstrations are planned at City Hall, one put on by the group Stand Up to Racism Metro Vancouver and the other by the so-called Worldwide Coalition Against Islam. The BCCLA adds anyone is welcome to join their members at the events, if they feel it is safe to do so.
