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CAFE Protests Suspension of 17 Year Old Manitoba High School Girl for Poster Opposing Rainbow Poppy

CAFE Protests Suspension of 17 Year Old Manitoba High School Girl for Poster Opposing Rainbow Poppy

Canadian Association for Free Expression

Box 332,

Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 5L3

Ph: 416-428-5308

Website: http://cafe.nfshost.com

Paul Fromm, B.Ed, M.A. Director

Mr. J. Cassils, Principal Stonewall Collegiate Institute, 297 5 St W,
Stonewall, MB
R0C 2Z0

Dear Mr. Cassils:
I write to protest your suspension of Natalie Salisbury and another student for a pamphlet they published outlining their support for the traditional red and black poppy instead of a rainbow poppy to commemorate Remembrance Day.
The facts, as we understand them, are as follows:
1. Natalie Salisbury, 17, and a friend unnamed in media reports, are students at   Stonewall Collegiate Institute

2. Her music teacher urged the school orchestra to wear rainbow poppies for the school Remembrance Day ceremonies.  She told LifeSite News: “It all started when teachers, counselors, and some students said we should wear the rainbow poppy … ” Natalie said, adding that she disagreed. “I typed up papers on a computer, printed them off, and taped them up in the halls.”
3. Natalie and her friend refused and put up posters explaining her reasons, chiefly that the LGBTQ community had a whole month dedicated to them.
4. She was called to the principal’s office and suspended for “hate speech.” When she tried to record the suspension order on her cellphone, it was seized. She was warned that reporting the incident on social media would lead to further consequences.
I want to protest the bullying of this student by the school administration. The accusation of “hate speech” is outrageous. I have provided support and advice at numerous human rights hearings. The accusation of “hate speech” in legal terms can only be made if a person has been charged, tried and convicted for “wilful promotion of hate” against one of a number of privileged groups under Sec. 319 of the Criminal Code (the “hate law”). Clearly, Ms Salisbury has never been convicted. The accusation of “hate speech” is inflammatory and intimidating. The accusation usually tells one more about the accuser than the impugned speech. “Hate speech” is speech the accuser hates.
It is ironic that Natalie Salisbury’s right to free speech, to express herself in decent terms on an issue of the day, was throttled in regards to Remembrance Day, the very day on which we honour those who fought in the belief they were securing our rights and freedoms.
Your behaviour was shameful. You owe the two young women an apology.
Sincerely yours,

Paul Fromm
Director
p.s. I phoned the school at 2:00 p.m. Manitoba time on Friday to try to obtain your correct e-mail address. The phone rang for a very long time but there was no answer nor was the call directed to an answering machine.

More on the Suspension & Intimidation of a Manitoba Student Who Protested the Rainbow Poppy

BREAKING: Students suspended from Canadian high school for refusing to wear rainbow poppy
Canadian News

BREAKING: Students suspended from Canadian high school for refusing to wear rainbow poppy

Note: The follow-up story, including exclusive comment from one of the girls suspended, can be found here.

The 17-year-old cousin of a former Conservative MP hopeful in the 2019 federal election and her friend have been suspended from Stonewall Collegiate for distributing a poster explaining her rejection of the idea of wearing a rainbow poppy.

Cyara Bird of the Little Black River First Nation, who was on the ballot for the Churchill-Keewatinook Aski riding of northern Manitoba this past election, took to Twitter tonight to express her anger after learning her cousin and another student had both been suspended for “hate speech” after rejecting the idea that rainbow poppies should replace the traditional red-and-black ones worn during their school’s Remembrance Day performance.

The young woman, who is half African-Canadian, asked instead to wear the red-and-black poppy traditional to the festivities, finding the rainbow poppy “disrespectful” to the World War 2 veterans in her family. Upon expressing her opinion, she and another student who shared her sentiment were sent to the principal’s office. According to Bird, the girl’s parents were not notified until after the suspension was applied.

Bird also posted a message from her cousin’s father which read that the young woman had attempted to record the school administrators admonishing her using her cellphone, but that they noticed and confiscated her phone in response.

Speaking to The Post Millennial, Bird said her cousin, Natalie, had attempted to record the suspension orders in her voice memos application, wanting to show her parents what was happening. When the principal saw, her cellphone was “snatched away” and she was told there would be “consequences” if she posted about the suspension on social media or went to the press.

Natalie will not be allowed to return to school until after Remembrance Day.

Bird believes the suspension is unjust, and will negatively impact her cousin’s self-esteem.

“At 17, you are growing into yourself, you are learning to speak out against things you think are wrong.” she says, “What kind of message does this send to a young woman? That they are not supposed to speak out against something they disagree with.”

Rainbow poppies were introduced as a concept in 2016 by some LGBT groups in a push they say is to honour LGBT veterans, but it has caused controversy amongst those who say it is unnecessary, with the red poppy honouring all veterans regardless of sexuality.

Bird, whose grandfather is a World War 2 veteran, expressed frustration at the entire ordeal. “The pride we have because of our grandfather fighting in World War 2 is strong. We all wear poppies. [Natalie] was not opposing wearing one—she just did not want to wear one she felt was disrespectful to the veterans.”

The Post Millennial has reached out to Stonewall Collegiate for confirmation but has not heard back by the time of publication.

Update: The Post Millennial attempted to reach out to Stonewall Collegiate Thursday morning for comment, but was told they would not provide comments to media, aggressively advising us to “Google” the number for the Superintendent before hanging up. The Interlake School Board Superintendent did not return calls, but a statement issued on the Board’s twitter read that no staff member “mandated” a student wear a rainbow poppy.

They did not comment on the suspensions, or whether a student was suspended for voicing an opinion which rejected the rainbow poppy as a symbol, as in the case of Natalie.

Clarification: This article has been updated to clarify that the student was suspended for distributing a poster that detailed her reasons for rejecting the rainbow poppy.

More LGBTQ Tyranny: Manitoba Student, Natalie Salisbury, Suspended for Defending Black and Red Poppy

More LGBTQ Tyranny: Manitoba Student, Natalie Salisbury, Suspended for Defending Black and Red Poppy

17-year-old Natalie Salisbury was suspended

17-year-old Natalie Salisbury was suspended

after defending the traditional red and black poppy.

#LSN_Opinion   

STONEWALL, MANITOBA – November 7, 2019  (LSN) 17-year-old Natalie Salisbury was suspended by Stonewall Collegiate Institute in Stonewall, Manitoba, after defending the traditional red and black poppy. Natalie refused to don an LGBT-inspired rainbow poppy so she printed off posters to defend her decision and explain why the traditional red and black poppy means so much to so many Canadians.

Natalie’s father called us to express his outrage at the school’s decision.

He said Natalie is worried that no-one will stand up for her, which is a damned shame after she proudly stood up for our veterans and our right to remember their sacrifices.

The Grade 11 student refused to don an LGBT-inspired rainbow poppy so she printed off posters to defend her decision and explain why the traditional red and black poppy means so much to so many Canadians.

Natalie’s father called us to express his outrage at the school’s decision. He said Natalie is worried that no-one will stand up for her, which is a damned shame after she proudly stood up for our veterans and our right to remember their sacrifices.

So we’re going to prove to her that that is not the case — people do care and will stand by her.

We will be sending this petition to Natalie to prove to her that thousands of Canadians stand with her in protecting our traditional red and black poppies.

We will also be sending a copy of this petition to the school administration to show them that Natalie is not alone — and this disgrace will not stand!

We stand by Natalie Salisbury — let’s protect our poppies!

So, we’re going to prove to her that this is not the case in Canada — people do care and will stand by her.

We will be sending a petition of signatures to Natalie to prove to her that thousands of Canadians support her desire and passion to protect our traditional red and black poppies.

We will also be sending a copy of this petition to the school administration to show them that Natalie is not alone — and this disgrace will not stand!

We stand with Natalie Salisbury — let’s protect our poppies!

Will you sign?

Please click here, or visit ProtectOurPoppies.ca to add your name.

Yours truly,

Keean Bexte

P.S. Canadian traditions and values are being eroded everywhere you look and we’re getting tired of it — we need to stand up for what we believe in! So, if you agree with us and want to support Natalie in protecting our poppies, please click here to sign our petition.

Disclaimer
The views expressed in this opinion article are solely those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Lake Superior News / Lake Superior Media.


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