Flag protest sparks town hall meeting at THEMUSEUM
Posted Jul 13, 2017 05:39:21 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After its giant Canadian flag was stained with black paint and used to hang a protest banner on Canada Day, THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener is talking about it.
At a town hall style meeting on Wednesday, voices on both sides of the issue came together for a dialogue about the incident and the issues it raises.
A majority of those at the discussion about what prompted the protest understand why it happened, but agree it’s vandalism.
Lori Campbell, Director of the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre says the banner itself and its message about resistance would have been enough to spark the conversation.
“As an Indigenous person, that’s not the way that I want my peers to be getting a message across, but this is an important conversation to have.” said Campbell.
Waterloo Regional Police Deputy Chief, Kevin Chalk agrees, adding people have the absolute right and obligation, to make sure their voices are heard.
“Sometimes recognizing it takes actions beyond just a simple letter, to get people’s attention, to draw the conversation. We wouldn’t be here tonight, in all likelihood, if the flag incident hadn’t occurred.” said Chalk.
The banner is now part of an exhibit examining Canada’s relationship with its Indigenous people.
