Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Watch: Town hall on free speech at Toronto Pride

UPDATE, JUNE 8: Watch our recording of the town hall on free speech:



(Note: We had some trouble with our internet connection, so the first chunk is missing. Our apologies!)

*** 

JUNE 7: Xtra will live broadcast tonight's town hall meeting on free speech at Toronto Pride.

Watch the event here, starting at 7:15pm. Until then, you can check out some of our recent related video reports:

Some details of tonight's event, via Facebook:

The Pride Coalition for Free Speech, Queers Against Israeli Apartheid and Queer Ontario, invite you to participate in an open community meeting about how you can support free speech at Pride.

The event is hosted by Jane Farrow, broadcaster, Executive Director of Jane’s Walks and a proud honoured dyke who gave back her 2010 honour to instead support free speech.

The discussion will be co-moderated by Farzana Doctor and Michael Went, members of the Pride Coalition for Free Speech. The goal of the event is to discuss how, if Pride Toronto does not rescind its decision to ban the words “Israeli apartheid”, we can respond to Pride Toronto’s censorship now, leading up to the Pride Parade, and beyond.

Participating organizations will have a brief opportunity to explain their initiatives, future plans, and how you can get involved with their efforts.

If you're in Toronto, come down in person: the event takes place at The 519 Church Street Community Centre. It kicks off with a community fair at 6:30pm, and speeches start at 7:15.

 

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Comments

Monday, June 7, 2010 9:22 PM

Thank you for posting the live stream video. To those suggesting civil disobediance as a way to show your anger with Pride, please be aware that creating disorder during Pride will cause people to get hurt. And that's a retarded idea all around. Your behavior in a large crowd has a direct and immediate effect on others. If your aim is to stun, disrupt, intimidate, threaten, or create chaos, then you have a twisted and backwards way of thinking and you obviously don't care about the safety of others.

Ryan ca


Monday, June 7, 2010 9:09 PM

Ongoing news, information, and updates on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=352762041138

Rick ca


Monday, June 7, 2010 11:00 PM

It was a powerful rousing event even just watching it streaming online, thanks for providing the stream Xtra!

Rich ca


Monday, June 7, 2010 11:23 PM

When are you going to protest all the honor killings of women and gays in the Palestinian territories? When will you protest the bombs that are launched into Israel every day? I guess you won't because they are only "little bombs."

I don't think there is anybody who agrees with everything that Israel does but these protesters are very naive.

Religious fanatics are crazy. Even in the "free" United States we don't have gay marriage because there are enough religious zealots to influence policy.

Everything is not as simple as singing kumbaya.

Anony Mouse us


Tuesday, June 8, 2010 3:37 AM

@Anony.

Of course we in QuAIA protest honor killings and all attacks on queers and trans people, whether in Palestine, Israel or Canada. Some of our members are affected by such issues or know people who are affected by them. Why would you assume that we DON'T protest such things? Are you so warped in your defense of Israel that you think anyone who criticizes Israel is incapable of criticizing anything else?

As for the point about religious fanaticism, how much do you actually know about Israel? You do realize that many, if not most, of the settlers in the West Bank are Jewish religious extremists who believe they are reclaiming the land by order of God, right? And you do realize that the very conservative anti-LGBT Orthodox community is the fastest growing community in Israel, right? In fact, when Zionists from Europe decided to build (really take) a homeland, they chose mandate Palestine specifically because it is the land of the Bible. So why do you only describe people on the other side as "religious extremists"?

As for singing kumbaya, well the only people really singing that song would be the desperate people still clinging to the U.S. led "Peace plan/Roadmap" for a two-state solution. But since Israel uses every day that negotiations drag on to tighten its grip on the West Back, QuAIA and its supporters have moved to non-violent direct action under the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign. Until Israel comes into compliance with international law and grants Arab and Jewish Israelis equal rights, no business as usual.

Sav. ca


Tuesday, June 8, 2010 8:19 AM

Really, I mean really? This religious based nonsense now brought into pride celebrations. Juvenile, ignorant, primitive darkness. Religions must be banned, it's holding the human species and our collective spirit ransom.
I want sunshine and rainbows.

tim ca


Tuesday, June 8, 2010 4:25 PM

I enjoyed the lively confab, so much enthusiasm in the room last night, I hope something productive comes from it. OH BTW Tracey Sandilands told Paul Gallant in the article power & peril of positive thinking, in a new G & L Toronto Magazine called IN, that she has "new partnerships with other organizations like Queer West." This is a complete fabrication and bald-faced lie.

We are NOT associated with, nor do we have ANY special Partnerships with current Board of Pride Toronto. We are sorry to hear about taht 2010 Pride festival is in chaos, because of Tracey Sandilands leadership abitities. Queer West is in solidarity with the Toronto queer community in their fight for Free Speech at Pride.

Michel ca


Tuesday, June 8, 2010 4:39 PM

Why would you call out your own community in front of 600 people? Embarassed you can't control everything. Now that is RUDE.

@rinaldo



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