Sask. ‘March 4 Children’ rallies face friction from rival protests

Rallies in favour of Saskatchewan’s new pronoun policy and push for increased parental rights in education were met with equally large counterprotests on Wednesday.

Hundreds took to the streets in Saskatoon and Regina, while similar rallies were held in other parts of the province and across Canada. The marches, dubbed the “One Million March 4 Children,” and “Hands Off Our Kids March,” included events in Prince Albert, Swift Current, Estevan and Yorkton.

In Saskatchewan, the provincial government recently implemented changes which it says promote parental rights and consent in education.

Demonstrations and protests around Saskatchewan’s changes to education began Wednesday morning in Saskatoon, as well as five other locations in the province. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

The new policies require parents be notified of the content of sex education classes and have the option to opt their children out if they wish. The provincial government also banned third-party sex ed in schools, and will require parental consent before young students can change the name or pronouns they use in schools.

The changes were met with both praise and condemnation, and hundreds gathered in Regina to oppose the changes earlier this month.

In Saskatoon, a demonstration at the Vimy Memorial Bandstand was met with counterprotesters, who shouted and swore at speakers in favour of the new school measures. The demonstrators chanted “Not your protest,” while the counterprotesters simultaneously chanted “Not your children.”

Stella Chipesia, who was part of the initial demonstration, said she has three children in school and as an Indigenous woman, sexual orientation and gender identity in schools go against her personal beliefs.

“Every group of people should have a right to a belief and be allowed to go to places like school without feeling scared of being persecuted for their beliefs,” she said. “I hope that our rights will be protected.”

A woman who identified herself as Irene said she supported parents’ rights to be involved in their kids’ lives.

“I don’t want (kids) to be preoccupied with sex and sexual teaching to distract them from learning the real things,” she said.

Many signs were on display at the Saskatoon demonstration, both for and against the new provincial education policies. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

Chanting “No space for hate” and “Sex ed saves lives,” a group supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community gathered on the opposite side of the memorial holding signs reading “Protect trans futures,” and “Respect existence or expect resistance.”

Melanie Vanderlinde said she came to support the second group.

“I think that maybe a lot of the people here protesting are the same people that would have been protesting desegregation in the ’60s. It’s the same bigoted mentality,” she said.

Alexa Van Volkenburg said she too was an ally of trans and queer kids.

“They know who they are best, and I’m here to support that,” she said.

Police were present at the event, and stepped in to attempt to defuse heated exchanges between some attendees. While the protest remained peaceful, police had to step in after a mic was dropped onto the ground, prompting some pushing in the crowd.

“This is going to be very a very passionate day for everybody involved,” a Saskatoon officer said to those gathered.

“All that we want to ensure is that everybody here is safe and that they have the ability to say their piece in a safe environment.”

At the Million March 4 Kids event at Vimy Memorial #yxe. Things getting a bit heated b/w 2SLGBTQ+ group and group for pronoun policy. @SaskatoonPolice officers moving to diffuse verbal sparring. Both sides very passionate about their views. @CKOMNews @CJMENews pic.twitter.com/6M66izxBfl

— Lara Fominoff (@LaraFominoff) September 20, 2023

The demonstration wound its way past the offices of Saskatoon Public Schools, the largest school division in the province, then proceeded through downtown Saskatoon along with a police escort.

The Saskatoon demonstration dispersed at around noon.

Protest/march has gone past @StoonPubSchools offices, and circled downtown #yxe. @SaskatoonPolice provide escort for remaining participants, some carrying #Trans and #Pride flags. pic.twitter.com/cpK5KUVswL

— Lara Fominoff (@LaraFominoff) September 20, 2023

With children screaming and laughing on a bouncy castle on one end of the Legislature lawn and loudspeakers playing pop music from artists like Sir Mix-a-Lot on the other end, around 300 people gathered at the demonstration in Regina.

The demonstrators, many with kids in tow, walked from the Legislative grounds to Regina City Hall and back again, up and down Albert Street, with some drivers honking as they passed.

Before the march itself, several speakers addressed the crowd, expounding on parental rights and what some called “sexual indoctrination,” and telling anecdotes about activists they say are trying to force their ideology into classrooms.

Those attending the rally spoke about supporting parents’ rights.

“The parents bear the kids, they support them, they buy the food, they buy the clothing (and) when they’re hurt, they look after the kids. It’s not the government or no one else looking after our kids but the parents,” said one woman wearing a “Leave our kids alone” sign.

“I don’t see why they should try and bother the kids and bring that into the schools. That’s not right.”

Another woman said she worries about what her grandchildren are seeing at school and spoke about the deck of sexually explicit cards left in a classroom in Lumsden by a sex ed presenter.

Speakers thus far have been talking about gender ideology, talking about resources in schools they don't feel are appropriate, and telling stories about activists they say are trying to indoctrinate children. pic.twitter.com/xokVcxMrxj

— Lisa Schick (@LMSchickler) September 20, 2023

“That was the tip of the iceberg. And that was a very unfortunate incident for those children; they were exposed to that. The problem is that they can’t unsee it now,” the woman said.

She called it pornography and said that’s not what her grandchildren are being sent to school for.

“They’re sending them to school to learn to read, write, do math – that’s what school’s about,” she said.

Many of the flags and signs waved by people at the rally talked about saving kids and parents’ rights, or quoted bible verses. Several others asserted that gender is static and that there are only two.

One man, who was carrying a straight pride flag, said he didn’t want kids to be pressured into anything at school. When asked if he supports trans rights, he said he supports a decision.

“I don’t support jamming it down people’s (throats) and creating opinions before there need to be opinions,” he explained.

The City of Regina issued a statement in response to the demonstration there, saying it supports and values its diverse community.

“The City of Regina values diversity as a cornerstone of building and improving a healthier, more inclusive and vibrant community,” the statement read. “As part of its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, the City of Regina is proud to be an ally of individuals of all genders, including those who identify as non-binary, and of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”

pic.twitter.com/l0kpuWLWiY

— Lisa Schick (@LMSchickler) September 20, 2023

Nadine Ness, spokesperson for the Saskatchewan demonstrations, said she expects the demonstrations to make a big impact.

“I think it’s going to be really inspiring movement to see so many people come together,” Ness said.

Asked about the possibility for violence, Ness said organizers have plans in place to ensure the demonstrations remain peaceful.

“We’re used to that. We’re not going to let that deter us,” she said. “We’re not going to answer back in hate or anger or anything.”

At the Million March 4Kids demonstration downtown Saskatoon. Several hundred people on both sides at Vimy memorial. 2SLGBTQ+ group chanting “Sex Ed Saves Lives,” while other group chants “Leave Our Kids Alone.” @SaskatoonPolice on petimetre of crowd. So far all peaceful. pic.twitter.com/048HAlO1g5

— Lara Fominoff (@LaraFominoff) September 20, 2023

–With files from Lisa Schick, Lara Fominoff and Shane Clausing.

The issue of parental rights over education sparked large demonstrations in Saskatchewan and beyond on Wednesday. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Demonstrations and counter protests began Wednesday morning in Saskatoon, Regina, and other locations across Canada over the issue of parental rights. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

Many demonstrators joined the rally in Saskatoon, as others voiced their opposition in no uncertain terms. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)