An Airdrie resident asked City council to look into a bylaw that would require protesters to give the City notice before demonstrating, July 4.
“Last week, my seven-year-old daughter and I had the unfortunate experience of driving by demonstrators that were on one of the downtown corners,” said Carolynn Olsen, during the public question period at the council meeting.
“The large posters that they had were horrific in nature, showing bloody fetuses. The posters were insensitive, inappropriate and damaging in nature. No child should be exposed to what my child saw.”
On June 20, protesters from the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform exercised their right to free speech at the corner of Centre Avenue and Main Street. They say they will continue to visit centres in southern Alberta to spread their message that abortion is wrong.
Olsen said she is not against free speech or even the message the group is trying to get across, she just doesn’t agree with the way the information was presented.
“Let me say that I believe that people have a right to their opinion and should be able to demonstrate when they see fit, but when it crosses the line of common decency and infringes on the rights of others and especially young children, I need to speak out,” she said.
“Currently, we have in our society, disclaimers on TV programs and software to help protect our children. Where is the protection in this situation?”
Mayor Peter Brown said multiple residents have approached him about the protest.
“There were a number of people who were concerned about those photos and I am myself,” he said.
Olsen asked if the City can require a notice of demonstration from groups that would allow planning for municipal enforcement, traffic control, safety issues and notify the public “so parents can choose to avoid those areas and not expose their children to graphic and disturbing images for any cause.”
“Seeing those posters brought (my daughter) to tears that night (and) through her tears she told me ‘I wish I never saw those signs,’” she said.
“My child’s innocence and mental well being should not be collateral damage from someone’s tactless and disgusting demonstration tactics.”
City staff will look into a bylaw governing demonstrations and protests and report back to council at a later date.
