Tuesday 8 June 2010

Israel/Palestine: Pride Against Justice


In their finite wisdom, the board of directors of Pride Toronto has banned the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid from this year's march.
They claimed the phrase "Israeli Apartheid" "made participants feel unsafe" and "can promote a poisonous atmosphere and detract from the goal of celebrating diversity within our community."
Eh?
A city councillor had introduced a motion to withdraw $121,000 worth of “funding and support” from the event if Queers Against Israeli Apartheid were allowed to participate, claiming their inclusion violated the city's anti-discrimination policy which “prohibits discrimination and harassment and protects the right to be free of hate activity,”
Organisers estimated that without this official endorsement they could lose a further $500,000 in funding.
23 Pride Toronto honorees have returned their awards in protest at this act of censorship.
Matthew Cutler, winner of last year's Youth Award said; "It is not unprecedented for members of our community to be silenced and censored for our views, beliefs and lifestyles. It was reprehensible when others restricted us; however it is unconscionable, unprincipled and utterly disappointing that members of our own community would impose such restrictions.
"I am returning my Award today in protest of Pride Toronto’s decision to ban the words “Israeli Apartheid” – a decision which departs from our communities’ values and history, and I am returning my Award with the hope that Pride Toronto will reverse its decision.
"I do this with the hope that generations of young people will continue to be offended, that generations of young people will continue to grow, learn and discuss difficult ideas and issues, and that our community and our communities’ Pride festival will continue to play a fundamental role in offending, challenging, celebrating and welcoming everyone who attends."

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