UrbanWarrior
Senior Member
^^^ Couldn't have possibly articulated it better myself.
|
|
|
Well, if it wasn't inside, it would be in the plaza outside, equally high profile IMO.Social Justice, your sarcasm and hyperbole is just complicating matters. Just speak plainly and say what you mean.
Here's what I mean: Canadians are guaranteed freedom of expression; they are not entitled to hold rallies in the lobby of City Hall. I don't think this pastor should be arrested for his speech or his beliefs, but I do think that permitting him to hold an event in the lobby of City Hall is an implicit endorsement of his views by our Municipal government. I feel the same way about the Downtown Calgary BIA issuing a permit to the Billy Graham organization to set up a proselytization trailer on Stephen Ave during Pride Week.
Speech also has consequences. When we keep provide high-profile venues for bigoted speech, we are advertising a certain image to the rest of the world. We have a problem attracting and retaining young people in this city. I think its reasonable to reflect on how we are presenting our civic identity to the rest of the world and whether that contributes to this problem.
Well, if it wasn't inside, it would be in the plaza outside, equally high profile IMO.
Social Justice, your sarcasm and hyperbole is just complicating matters. Just speak plainly and say what you mean.
Here's what I mean: Canadians are guaranteed freedom of expression; they are not entitled to hold rallies in the lobby of City Hall. I don't think this pastor should be arrested for his speech or his beliefs, but I do think that permitting him to hold an event in the lobby of City Hall is an implicit endorsement of his views by our municipal government. I feel the same way about the Downtown Calgary BIA issuing a permit to the Billy Graham organization to set up a proselytization trailer on Stephen Ave during Pride Week.
Speech also has consequences. When we keep providing high-profile venues for bigoted speech, we are advertising a certain image to the rest of the world. We have a problem attracting and retaining young people in this city. I think it's reasonable to reflect on how we are presenting our civic identity to the rest of the world and whether that contributes to this problem.
That is the thing though ... public space. It is either almost all (no criminal hate speech) or nothing. I'd rather live in a society where the rights of the opinioted bigots are protected, so that should the government swing the other way, similar protests are protected to advocate for the systemically oppressed. This is different from trying to de-platform someone from Twitter, or advocate for a private or quasi private space to not rent facilities to certain groups/people.
When the City grants permission to certain groups to hold events within City Hall it is choosing to give those groups a platform to express their views. I would say that that is implicit approval. I think the City has a responsibility to make certain judgments about what it considers to be appropriate and inappropriate expressions.I don't think we should take renting or giving space as endorsement or approval.
"The left" is not against free speech and no one on this thread has advocated against free speech. No one is suggesting that this pastor should be prevented from expressing himself in public space. I'm not talking about denying speech. I'm talking about denying someone a platform that elevates and legitimates their speech. You won't find a single mention in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms entitling us to take over the lobby of City Hall for a day.Historically, freedom of speech has benefited oppressed people. In fact, I'm old enough to remember when 'the left' was in favour of free speech (How times have changed!). When you deny an individual from expressing themselves in the public space, you set a dangerous precedence.
The city is the last organization I want making that determination. Either we let it all in - with a ban for the criminal line - or we do none. Some based on what is popular is a horrible road to go down. There are lots of horrible opinions that are hurtful that aren’t criminal.
Now I question why any group can use the atrium, but that isn’t here nor there. Perhaps a belief in access to provide balance compared to the various holiday celebrations?
The Charter doesn’t address most things directly, but this isn’t private property. Lots of government associated property is treated largely like private property for the purposes of access and protest, but central government administration buildings are most definitely not treated in that manner. Since the city is treating the atrium like an indoor town square, that is how the courts would judge efforts to control who has access.