Calgary councillors are still unsure as to where to “draw the line” following the February 27th protest at city hall. Crowds gathered to denounce COVID-19 regulations such as mandatory masks but also carried with them white supremacists’ symbolisms, namely tiki torches.
While every councillor was quick to denounce these symbols and racism in general there was some dissent on the subject on what exactly could be done.
“[City Hall] or Olympic Plaza, these are places have been traditional in regard to allowing peaceful protests to take place” said Richard Hinse, director of the Calgary Community Standards Bylaw office. He also commented on the difficulties of balancing charter rights and freedom of expression, calling it “probably one of the most difficult areas of law”.
Councillor Evan Woolley believes that hate groups are incompatible with the concept of a peaceful protest and is worried about providing such groups with a platform. “[Are] we functionally endorsing [the spread of hate] by allowing it to happen in these incredibly important public plazas?”
Councillor Chabal echoed Woolley’s sentiments, and looked for alternative ways to specifically bar tiki torches from public spaces. He questioned Director Hinse of the legality of having an open flame at a protest- drawing parallels between the use of torches, fire pits, Molotov cocktails, and burning crosses.
Councillor Chu denounced the “racist symbol of [the] tiki torch but also urged caution. “Politicians should not direct,” said Chu, in reference to how officials can influence police. He advised the council that collectively, they need to proceed “very carefully” and be wary of the “slippery slope”. He explained that freedom of speech is what separates Canada from a nation like China, especially when it comes to contentious issues. “Do we like it? Well, some people do, some people don’t. But [that’s] the difference’.
The council ruled unanimously to “formally denounce all statements, acts and symbols of racism, hatred, intolerance and violence that that were collectively and individually displayed on Saturday, February 27, 2021”.
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