Today I participated in a small and peaceful public protest against the proposed Bill C-51. This event was held in conjunction with many across Canada. I am not aware of the specific reason for holding the protest at the location but a civic plaza does seem like an appropriate gathering place for a public event. Our event was scheduled from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. As we started to gather a Civic Centre employee along with a security guard came out to speak with us, explaining that there was going to be an event happening at the Civic Centre. Our organizer was, in fact, aware that Mr. Ben Meisner's service was scheduled for that day and he understood it was to happen at 2:00. We did not want to interfere or be disrespectful in any way and our protest was not related to the service, the timing was coincidental. The woman explained that people would be coming as early as 1:00. We assured her that we would leave the area by then and she seemed satisfied with that. She was very friendly and professional and took some information on what we were about.
We proceeded with our event, which consisted of less than twenty people sharing information and carrying a few protest signs. We weren't being loud, we weren't even chanting any slogans. While a member of Amnesty International was sharing information, about human rights and civil liberties, a man who identified himself as the manager of the Civic Centre came out and told us, rudely, we had to leave, he had called the police and we did not have permission to be there. We tried to explain that we had spoken to someone who had seemed okay with us being there until 1:00. We were told that she was "just staff" and he was the manager, that this area, (gesturing to the plaza) was booked for an event.
So we left.
I understand that public spaces can be booked for private functions but perhaps there should be some sort of indication. Had we arrived and seen a sign that said, "The Civic Plaza has been booked for a private function and is closed from 12:00 to 5:00," for example, we would have moved elsewhere. Or if the first person we spoke with had explained this. Or if the person skateboarding and the people sitting on the bleachers had also been asked to leave. Had any of these things happened it wouldn't have seemed so much like our right to gather in public and protest was being infringed upon.
But it did seem that way. Maybe next time instead of calling the police and ordering people out of a public place you could try just talking.
I apologize to those who feel the timing and location of the protest was disrespectful, that was not our intent.
Kelly Mould
Prince George
