Large crowds gather for rally, counter protest on what’s being taught in schools

A march and counter protest took place Wednesday in Kitchener.

The march is called ‘1 Million March 4 Children’ and is advocating for the “elimination of the sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms” in schools.

It is taking place across Canada and the Kitchener demonstration took place outside City Hall.

Crowds with signs and balloons chanted and heard from speakers in support of their cause.

“We want peace, and we want our education system used as an education system,” said one speaker.

The counter protest is called the Queer Youth Defence and said those organizing the march are using “anti-queer rhetoric to take away the rights of youth in determining their own identities.”

At the rally, counter protesters told CityNews why it was important to be there.

“I want everyone to have fullness of life and goodness of life and feel like they are loved and they belong,” said one person.

A large group of protestors and counter protestors have gathered outside Kitchener City Hall this morning for today’s nationwide ‘1 Million March 4 Children’ @CityNewsKIT pic.twitter.com/lleD3CAMT3

— Jonathan Strom (@jonathan_strom) September 20, 2023

“I don’t want to see children die, because parents are not always fair. There are a lot of mental health issues that are not being addressed, and this is wrong,” said another counter protester.

Ontario Green Party leader, and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner was also at the counter protest.

“We just want to stand in solidarity with our community, and say that love trumps hate, and that we’re going to create safe spaces for all children, especially our most vulnerable trans, and non-binary youth,” said Schreiner.

When Trans Youth are Under Attack, What do we do? UNITE! FIGHT BACK! pic.twitter.com/DcMYoswYj1

— Fight Back! (@fightbackkw) September 18, 2023

Several local organizations and leaders shared support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community including Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.

“While the City recognizes people’s Charter-protected right to organize and protest in public spaces, Kitchener City Council stands by our 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, especially queer youth who may be strongly impacted by these demonstrations,” he said in a statement.

Hate has no place in @RegionWaterloo. As a council and a community we stand against discrimination in all its forms and reaffirm our commitment to building a welcoming community for all. 2SLGBTQIA+ residents are valued members of this region.
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— Karen Redman (@Redman4Region) September 19, 2023

The Waterloo Region District School Board expressed concern for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In a statement, the board said that the motivations behind the demonstrations “are hate and inaccuracies about what is happening in schools.”

The board added that they are governed by several pieces of provincial legislation including the Anti-Racism Act and the Safe Schools Act.

Security, by-law, and police were all present at City Hall during the demonstrations. They stood between the two sides of protesters who remained peaceful.

NEWS: City of #Kitchener Statement on the ‘1 Million March 4 Children’.

Details: https://t.co/m2OolKQE8N pic.twitter.com/VFYXNCCcbi

— City of Kitchener (@CityKitchener) September 19, 2023