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For the first time in more than 15 years, the annual March for Life will not be awarded a City of Ottawa proclamation, organizers were told Monday.
The Parliament Hill rally, which can attract more than 20,000, is scheduled for May 10 in support of the rights of the vulnerable, particularly the unborn.
An email from the city’s protocol office to Ambrose Atkins and Margaret Mountain, co-chairs of the march, cited the city’s new policy on proclamations and flag-raising, which was reviewed in 2017 after an eruption of anger over the unexpected raising of the pro-life flag at city hall.
“I would draw your attention to the City’s Proclamation Procedure that states: ‘A proclamation will not be issued for matters that are politically or religiously motivated or represent individual conviction.’
“I must, therefore, advise that the City will not issue the proclamation requested by your organization.”
The polarizing effect of the symbolic proclamation was brought into focus in 2017 when a self-described “pro-life warrior” — with city staff approval — put up his own pro-life flag at city hall just as the national march was getting underway a few blocks away.
It was only a matter of hours before several councillors were in full freak-out mode, appealing to the protocol and mayor’s office to remove the offending flag. It was down before the sun set.
The city’s says its refusal this year is part of “an effort to ensure that these procedures continue to reflect prevailing community expectations, as well as the spirit and intent for which they were devised.”
It has not been lost on march organizers, however, that the city happily flew a Sikh flag in April to celebrate Sikh heritage month, obviously a religious-based set of events.
“I must admit, I really wasn’t surprised,” Mountain said Monday. “The very fact that they took the flag down last year gives you a pretty good indication of where city hall stands.”
She is drafting a letter to the city asking it to reconsider, arguing the march is not faith-based nor political in motivation.
“Anyone from any religious background can be part of our March for Life. It’s not even political. It’s more of a human rights march, but I think they would use any excuse, really.”
There is another twist to this year’s march as well. The route is being altered so that demonstrators do not encroach on the newly legislated “bubble zone” put into force on Feb. 1 to protect those using the Morgentaler Clinic on upper Bank Street.
This year’s refusal, too, represents an evolution in the stance of Mayor Jim Watson.
In 2011, when the mayor signed the Life proclamation, he was criticized by groups such as Planned Parenthood for apparently siding with anti-abortionists.
He explained it this way: “I don’t happen to agree with those who (want to) take away a woman’s right to choose. But, at the same time, it’s not the mayor’s personal beliefs and hunches that should rule the day.”
However, in October 2017, his position had hardened, defending the upcoming denial based on the changes in protocol he himself asked the city solicitor to undertake.
“The right-to-life proclamations, as of now, will no longer be permitted,” he said in October.
“It’s either you get rid of them all, which hurts a lot of organizations, or you have a policy that is very clear that we’re not going to use the proclamation or the flags for religious issues that fall completely outside our jurisdictions, and I think what the clerk did was very good work, and I’m pleased with the results.”
After 20 years of organizing the march, Mountain believes the group is being treated differently because of the shifting climate around abortion as a right.
“I would like to be treated like everybody else and I don’t think we are. It definitely is a free speech issue and it’s a human rights issue.”
To contact Kelly Egan, please call 613-726-5896 or email kegan@postmedia.com
Here are some proclamation requests denied since October 2017:
200th Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, Prophet Founder of the Bahai’i Faith, Oct. 22, 2017
International Clash Day, Feb. 7. (Yes, for the rock band.)
Earth Day, April 22
Vesak Month, May 1 (mainly for Buddhists.)
National March for Life Day in the Capital, May 10.
Do Something Good For Your Neighbour Day, May 16
Celebrating Dalhousie University Alumni, June 6.
A sampling of proclamations approved since October 2017:
Interfaith Day, Oct. 15.
Turkish Republic Day, Oct. 29
Lebanese Heritage Month, all of November.
Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Kiwanis Club of Ottawa Day, Dec. 15.
Tamil Heritage Month, January.
World Religion Day, Jan. 21.
Red Tape Awareness Week, Jan. 22-26.
Bob Wilson Day, Jan. 31.
Ottawa Irish Festival Week, March 8-17
Sikh Heritage Month, April.
Ottawa Beta Sigma Phi Founders Day, April 22.
Excerpts from the city’s policy on proclamations:
“The purpose of this protocol is to provide a vehicle that will encourage public awareness and provide recognition for events, achievements, and activities that are significant to Ottawa.
“Proclamations are ceremonial documents signed by the Mayor containing a message of importance, interest or benefit to a significant number of citizens of Ottawa. The decision to issue proclamations is based on the recognition that the Mayor represents all citizens.”
“A proclamation may be issued:
• to an individual or organization residing within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa who has achieved national or international distinction, or whose significant contribution to the community deserves recognition;
• to artistic, athletic, historical and cultural celebrations held within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa;
• to charitable and non-profit fundraising events held within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa;
• as a special recognition/honour on the recommendation of the Mayor.
“A proclamation will not be issued for:
• matters that are politically or religiously motivated or represent individual conviction;
• campaigns, events or activities that are contrary to the City of Ottawa’s policies or bylaws;
• individuals or organizations that espouse discrimination, hatred, violence or racism;
• individuals or organizations that are not directly related to the City of Ottawa;
• events or activities intended for profit-making purposes.”
查看原文...
The Parliament Hill rally, which can attract more than 20,000, is scheduled for May 10 in support of the rights of the vulnerable, particularly the unborn.
An email from the city’s protocol office to Ambrose Atkins and Margaret Mountain, co-chairs of the march, cited the city’s new policy on proclamations and flag-raising, which was reviewed in 2017 after an eruption of anger over the unexpected raising of the pro-life flag at city hall.
“I would draw your attention to the City’s Proclamation Procedure that states: ‘A proclamation will not be issued for matters that are politically or religiously motivated or represent individual conviction.’
“I must, therefore, advise that the City will not issue the proclamation requested by your organization.”
The polarizing effect of the symbolic proclamation was brought into focus in 2017 when a self-described “pro-life warrior” — with city staff approval — put up his own pro-life flag at city hall just as the national march was getting underway a few blocks away.
It was only a matter of hours before several councillors were in full freak-out mode, appealing to the protocol and mayor’s office to remove the offending flag. It was down before the sun set.
The city’s says its refusal this year is part of “an effort to ensure that these procedures continue to reflect prevailing community expectations, as well as the spirit and intent for which they were devised.”
It has not been lost on march organizers, however, that the city happily flew a Sikh flag in April to celebrate Sikh heritage month, obviously a religious-based set of events.
“I must admit, I really wasn’t surprised,” Mountain said Monday. “The very fact that they took the flag down last year gives you a pretty good indication of where city hall stands.”
She is drafting a letter to the city asking it to reconsider, arguing the march is not faith-based nor political in motivation.
“Anyone from any religious background can be part of our March for Life. It’s not even political. It’s more of a human rights march, but I think they would use any excuse, really.”
There is another twist to this year’s march as well. The route is being altered so that demonstrators do not encroach on the newly legislated “bubble zone” put into force on Feb. 1 to protect those using the Morgentaler Clinic on upper Bank Street.
This year’s refusal, too, represents an evolution in the stance of Mayor Jim Watson.
In 2011, when the mayor signed the Life proclamation, he was criticized by groups such as Planned Parenthood for apparently siding with anti-abortionists.
He explained it this way: “I don’t happen to agree with those who (want to) take away a woman’s right to choose. But, at the same time, it’s not the mayor’s personal beliefs and hunches that should rule the day.”
However, in October 2017, his position had hardened, defending the upcoming denial based on the changes in protocol he himself asked the city solicitor to undertake.
“The right-to-life proclamations, as of now, will no longer be permitted,” he said in October.
“It’s either you get rid of them all, which hurts a lot of organizations, or you have a policy that is very clear that we’re not going to use the proclamation or the flags for religious issues that fall completely outside our jurisdictions, and I think what the clerk did was very good work, and I’m pleased with the results.”
After 20 years of organizing the march, Mountain believes the group is being treated differently because of the shifting climate around abortion as a right.
“I would like to be treated like everybody else and I don’t think we are. It definitely is a free speech issue and it’s a human rights issue.”
To contact Kelly Egan, please call 613-726-5896 or email kegan@postmedia.com
•
Here are some proclamation requests denied since October 2017:
200th Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, Prophet Founder of the Bahai’i Faith, Oct. 22, 2017
International Clash Day, Feb. 7. (Yes, for the rock band.)
Earth Day, April 22
Vesak Month, May 1 (mainly for Buddhists.)
National March for Life Day in the Capital, May 10.
Do Something Good For Your Neighbour Day, May 16
Celebrating Dalhousie University Alumni, June 6.
•
A sampling of proclamations approved since October 2017:
Interfaith Day, Oct. 15.
Turkish Republic Day, Oct. 29
Lebanese Heritage Month, all of November.
Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Kiwanis Club of Ottawa Day, Dec. 15.
Tamil Heritage Month, January.
World Religion Day, Jan. 21.
Red Tape Awareness Week, Jan. 22-26.
Bob Wilson Day, Jan. 31.
Ottawa Irish Festival Week, March 8-17
Sikh Heritage Month, April.
Ottawa Beta Sigma Phi Founders Day, April 22.
•
Excerpts from the city’s policy on proclamations:
“The purpose of this protocol is to provide a vehicle that will encourage public awareness and provide recognition for events, achievements, and activities that are significant to Ottawa.
“Proclamations are ceremonial documents signed by the Mayor containing a message of importance, interest or benefit to a significant number of citizens of Ottawa. The decision to issue proclamations is based on the recognition that the Mayor represents all citizens.”
“A proclamation may be issued:
• to an individual or organization residing within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa who has achieved national or international distinction, or whose significant contribution to the community deserves recognition;
• to artistic, athletic, historical and cultural celebrations held within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa;
• to charitable and non-profit fundraising events held within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa;
• as a special recognition/honour on the recommendation of the Mayor.
“A proclamation will not be issued for:
• matters that are politically or religiously motivated or represent individual conviction;
• campaigns, events or activities that are contrary to the City of Ottawa’s policies or bylaws;
• individuals or organizations that espouse discrimination, hatred, violence or racism;
• individuals or organizations that are not directly related to the City of Ottawa;
• events or activities intended for profit-making purposes.”
查看原文...
