An Important Message About The Incident At City Hall On June 1st
On June 1st, the City of Cambridge hosted a Flag Raising on the steps of City Hall, which was supposed to include a speech from a local Non-Binary teen name Sophie. At this event, Mayor Jan Liggett pulled the microphone away from Sophie to silence them because they shared the impact that Ward 6 Councillor, Adam Cooper, had on them because of a Transphobic Meme that he previously shared online. The Mayor called Sophie’s story disrespectful, and only let them continue if they removed that portion of their speech.
To watch video of this violation of Sophie’s right to Freedom of Expression, visit this link.
The video created outrage from Queer people across Canada, and our Allies. It has gained National attention, as it was an undeniable infringement on Sophie’s rights, as protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Mayor has denied wrongdoing, blamed Grand River Pride for division, and called Sophie a liar.
This is unacceptable. Cambridge deserves better.
In response to Mayor Liggett's video from June 5th about her inappropriate behaviour, we have this to say:
Mayor Liggett, we reject your response. You have ignored the voices of Cambridge, and the impact you have caused. That was an extremely long video that said nothing.
We have attempted to move forward with the City many times and have waited nearly two months for a reply to our request for a discussion to understand how the City is rectifying the harm they caused. We have yet to hear from the City, and you have denied most media organizations interviews. Your statement that you will continue your current course of action suggests you have neither learned anything nor listened to queer voices. You have no intention of changing. You do not plan on working with us. Your interpretation that we have caused the division is incorrect. You do not take responsibility for your own actions and their impact on the community. Mayor Liggett, your actions this week clearly show how you treat communication with people you disagree with. Instead of opening discourse, you take their voices away.
When Grand River Pride called for the boycott of the event, it was because we expected you to repeat your harmful actions and create an unsafe and disrespectful environment. We did not want Cambridge's 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to be exposed to that discourse. We were correct. Your actions were unsafe and disrespectful. You harmed our community again and had the audacity to call Sophie a liar after they bravely shared the truth about their experiences. We all saw the video. You said that Cooper had been through enough, but never addressed what the 2SLGBTQIA+ community had been through.
We reject your interpretation of the events, which people across Canada have seen online. We call for the Integrity Commissioner to hold the Mayor accountable for her disregard of the Municipal Code of Conduct and the infringement of Sophie's freedom of expression, protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is not a matter of differing opinions. This is about the Mayor's violation of a citizen's rights.
Mayor Liggett, we demand your resignation.
To the 2SLGBTQIA+ allies in the Community of Cambridge, and to the communities we have heard from across Canada, we stand with you. We are grateful for anyone who has expressed and continues to express their outrage with the Mayor's action. Thank you for showing up and holding her accountable. We will continue to celebrate Pride with you desipite and because of these events.
Eric and Bryan
Co-founders
Grand River Pride