A local group is holding a counter-protest outside city hall this Wednesday to “show Guelph that there is no place for hate.”
It’s in response to the #1MillionMarch4Children planned for Sept. 20 in more than a dozen Canadian cities and 35 in the U.S., including Guelph.
While the march is scheduled for 9 a.m. outside city hall on Sept. 20, the counter-protest will start at 8:30 a.m.
Local group No Hate In Guelph formed in light of the march organized by Hands Off Our Kids, which claims to be against “LGBTQIA+ ideology in the school system,” but “not to fight back against the LGBTQ community.”
The No Hate In Guelph Facebook group, created last Wednesday, has more than 600 members, and dubs the '1 Million March' as anti-LGBTQ+.
Counter-protesters are encouraged to bring signs with positive messaging and to “take up space,” according to a post made by the group.
Masks are required, and a limited number of free masks will be available on-site. Attendees are also encouraged to come fragrance-free.
It’s asked that counter-protesters ignore the #1MillionMarch protesters; a security team wearing vests will be there to de-escalate if needed.
