One month after the “1 Million March 4 Children” took place in Bracebridge and Huntsville, a similar protest is being held in the same communities supporting the other side of the coin.
Mike De Rose, President of the North Simcoe Muskoka and Labour Council, says the Sept. 20 counter-protests saw a large turnout at Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School and Huntsville High School, however, they don’t want to have to host counter-protests.
The rallies will be held at noon on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Memorial Park on Manitoba St. in Bracebridge and at 2:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 232 at 21 Veterans Wy. in Huntsville.
“We want to be celebrating the diversity and inclusivity of our communities because that’s truly what they are,” said De Rose. “We know that the vast majority of Muskokans are proud of the diversity and welcoming nature of their communities. It is what makes Muskoka such a great place to live and work. We don’t need a special month or day to celebrate that and show our support and unity.”
The rallies are being done in coordination with Muskoka Pride. Merv Taylor-Morin, President, says everyone, including pets, is welcome to join.
“We are proud to stand together with members of the local labour community to firmly proclaim that Hate Has No Home Here in Muskoka,” says Taylor-Morin. “Now more than ever it is important for voices of our community to demonstrate their allyship in the face of a very small but vocal minority who are loudly spewing forth messages of division and intolerance.”