The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board says "schools are places of learning and should not be the targets of political protests."
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has asked people not to attend a protest set to be held near two of its schools on Friday, arguing that “schools are places of learning and should not be the targets of political protests.”
The schools have had to make a number of adjustments to the school day to keep students away from the demonstration and “deal with what are expected to be significant transportation and access issues,” the board said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
The subject of the protest is British Columbia-based “Billboard Chris” Elston, who has campaigned against puberty blockers for youth and what he calls “gender ideology.”
Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden and some community groups are urging people to attend a counterprotest in Highland Park. Counterprotesters are expected to gather at the intersection of Broadview Avenue and Wellesley Avenue near Carling Avenue, away from Broadview Public School and Nepean High School, as well as a Catholic board high school, Notre Dame, also on Broadview Avenue.
“Our goal is to be nowhere near the schools,” Harden said Thursday. “We want to respect the school board. We care about community safety. Schools have a job to protect people. Our job is to make make sure that people whose hearts are poisoned are not marching down Broadview Avenue.”
Community Solidarity Ottawa, a coalition of labour unions and community organizations, also urged people to attend. The group called Elston a “celebrity anti-trans activist” who travelled around North America to “spread hate and instigate conflict at queer events.”
Known for “sandwich board activism,” Elston was in Ottawa in February and failed in an attempt to shut down a drag story time at the National Arts Centre after more counter-protesters showed up than supporters. On his website, Elston said: “Our politicians refuse to listen, and our media refuse to report, so I’m having conversations across North America, one person at a time.”
He also staged a protest near Nepean schools in October 2021.
There is controversy even in naming Elston. The OCDSB refers to him only as “an individual from outside Ottawa” who is “intending to lead a demonstration in a residential community near the two schools.”
“This individual, as well as others associated with this demonstration, have a history of aligning with and promoting inflammatory, transphobic, and hateful content against members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” the board’s statement said.
While the board is urging people to stay away, some trustees said Thursday they would attend.
“Anti-vaccine protests obstructed patients and staff at our hospitals,” said Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth, a trustee and family physician.
“Same far-right politics, different target. The purpose of anti-LGBTQ protests at schools is not just to intimidate students and staff, it is an act of hostility to the rights of gender identity and sexuality. We need safe zones around schools. Until then, as a cis-woman, I will stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQ+ Ottawans.”
The OCDSB said it was working with the Ottawa Police Service and school staff to ensure that students and staff would be safe.
“Adults should never make children and youth feel threatened or intimidated. Protests that are intended to provoke students, staff, families and/or community members to generate attention or social media traffic are completely unacceptable.”
Harden anticipated a significant turnout. “People in Ottawa are very passionate. We have a progressive community. They don’t appreciate this kind of buffoonery,” he said.
There are many in the community who are deeply concerned about these protests and wondering how to respond, the OCDSB said. “We encourage you to keep your message positive, promote the inclusive nature of our community, and share your support for 2SLGBTQ+ students, staff and community members, but do not create additional risks outside of schools.”
Harden said Elston’s tactics in the past had included “goading people into a fight, taking video and then playing the victim.”
The MPP urged counter-protesters not to be confrontational. “I’m not interested in fisticuffs,” he said. “I just don’t want them marching up Broadview Avenue and scaring children.”
The OCDSB said it actively supported the legal and ethical responsibility to uphold the rights of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
“We firmly believe that all publicly funded schools must be safe spaces for all children, regardless of race, heritage, faith, sexuality, and gender.”