(Just a note: Though I doubt it would be a problem on Tildes a lot of the discussion about pro-Beijing counter-protests in the west have turned very negatively against Chinese people themselves,...
(Just a note: Though I doubt it would be a problem on Tildes a lot of the discussion about pro-Beijing counter-protests in the west have turned very negatively against Chinese people themselves, and I just want to say that posting this article for discussion is in no way meant to encourage or endorse those views. Even the counter-protesters themselves I would expect are mostly good people who just feel like their home country is being attacked; the threats and occasionally violent actions represent only those who commit such shameful acts.)
What's everyone's thoughts on this? Though I obviously object to any violent threats against Pride and I also disagree with the views of the pro-Beijing camp, I don't know what to think of Montreal Pride's actions here. They're under no obligation to get involved with a political dispute thousands of miles away and they have to consider the safety of those who take part in the march; but, on the other hand, they also have an obligation to support their own community members and there's already precedence for Pride getting involved in intersectional political movements (e.g. Black Lives Matter and controversies over police marching in Pride). And, while no one should be made to feel uncomfortable or under threat at such a positive event, the history of these marches is one of standing up against violence and threats by showing solidarity, strength, and defiance. So, all that being said I don't know where to personally fall on this except to say "it's complex and neither side is necessarily wrong."
I think circumstances dictated Pride Montreal's response. This bit sealed it for me: There are three considerations in play immediately for me: When BLM stopped the Toronto parade, it was only...
I think circumstances dictated Pride Montreal's response. This bit sealed it for me:
Several politicians were due to take part in the parade, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier François Legault.
"Given the presence of public figures … we unfortunately have to remove you from the parade for security reasons," organizers said in an Aug. 17 email, a copy of which was provided to CBC News.
There are three considerations in play immediately for me:
The recent protests between pro and anti HK groups here in Toronto have been... tense... at best. The counter-protestors don't exactly play nicely when they show up.
With politicians there, it inherently sends a message to include a pro HK group, and then have it crashed by anti HK groups. With the methods they've already demonstrated, it would be a legitimate big security concern for our national leader and Quebec's provincial leader, over a dispute they're not directly involved in. Considering the security already involved simply hosting the PM for one of these events (from that view above in 1), we could see all the snipers and hidden police in just our tiny section), having a conflict between two groups around them makes security significantly harder.
It sucks for the pro HK group, and I'm very sympathetic to them, but it's just not a good idea when the PM and a Premier are also going to be present.
(Just a note: Though I doubt it would be a problem on Tildes a lot of the discussion about pro-Beijing counter-protests in the west have turned very negatively against Chinese people themselves, and I just want to say that posting this article for discussion is in no way meant to encourage or endorse those views. Even the counter-protesters themselves I would expect are mostly good people who just feel like their home country is being attacked; the threats and occasionally violent actions represent only those who commit such shameful acts.)
What's everyone's thoughts on this? Though I obviously object to any violent threats against Pride and I also disagree with the views of the pro-Beijing camp, I don't know what to think of Montreal Pride's actions here. They're under no obligation to get involved with a political dispute thousands of miles away and they have to consider the safety of those who take part in the march; but, on the other hand, they also have an obligation to support their own community members and there's already precedence for Pride getting involved in intersectional political movements (e.g. Black Lives Matter and controversies over police marching in Pride). And, while no one should be made to feel uncomfortable or under threat at such a positive event, the history of these marches is one of standing up against violence and threats by showing solidarity, strength, and defiance. So, all that being said I don't know where to personally fall on this except to say "it's complex and neither side is necessarily wrong."
I think circumstances dictated Pride Montreal's response. This bit sealed it for me:
There are three considerations in play immediately for me:
When BLM stopped the Toronto parade, it was only themselves. No counterprotestors, nobody that wasn't part of the group. They had a die-in for about an hour and then it continued (sidenote, check out the view the group I was with had for an hour while they did it, taken from my coworker's Instagram, notably the guy in the salmon shirt waving).
The recent protests between pro and anti HK groups here in Toronto have been... tense... at best. The counter-protestors don't exactly play nicely when they show up.
With politicians there, it inherently sends a message to include a pro HK group, and then have it crashed by anti HK groups. With the methods they've already demonstrated, it would be a legitimate big security concern for our national leader and Quebec's provincial leader, over a dispute they're not directly involved in. Considering the security already involved simply hosting the PM for one of these events (from that view above in 1), we could see all the snipers and hidden police in just our tiny section), having a conflict between two groups around them makes security significantly harder.
It sucks for the pro HK group, and I'm very sympathetic to them, but it's just not a good idea when the PM and a Premier are also going to be present.