in Long Branch<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Alternative Forum Kicked Out of the Legion<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in Long Branch<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Alternative Forum has run monthly meetings in Toronto,
since January, 1979. It\u2019s an institution but, from time to time, its
meeting space has been cancelled, often by those with high ideals
\u2013 the Toronto Public Library, the Royal Canadian Legion. In
February, 2025, when we moved our regular venue to Legion
101, after being abruptly cancelled \u2013 no reason given \u2013 by a hotel
we\u2019d used for some years, we always knew we were on borrowed
time. The Royal Canadian Legion has had a vile reputation for
cancelling meetings, despite the bumph you\u2019ll hear around
Remembrance Day about fighting for basic freedoms in two
world wars. After putting himself of the line, at his own expense,
to promote support for the Legion hockey commentator Don
Cherry was fired by Sportsnet owned by Rogers. His sin was
that he appeared to be lecturing newcomers to get with the
programme and support the poppy campaign. The cowardly
Legion promptly tossed their benefactor under the bus. “Mr.
Cherry’s personal opinion was hurtful, divisive and in no way
condoned by the Legion,” a smarmy statement said. The Legion
cancelled or refused several bookings by the Canadian National
Party in 2019. After years of playing her violin and often
volunteering at the Jasper, Alberta Legion, Monika Schaefer
was banned from the Legion in Jasper after her video Sorry,
Mon, I was Wrong About the Holocaust became known. This
was ruinous for her. The Legion was the venue for several
musical groups she was in. Even controversialist and Zionist
Ezra Levant was deplatformed. In 2019, he was launching his
book The Libranos. He chose the Legion on North Yonge Street
but was banned as \u201ctoo controversial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On July 7, as Director of the Alternative Forum, I received an
e-mail from Cindy Prentice, Head of Operations for Legion
101: \u201cI was contacted by Legion Command who has told us we
are not permitted to rent to you and your group going forward.\u201d I
inquired: \u201cIs there a specific reason given by Legion Command
for this decision? We’ve always paid our bills and, I trust, left the
place in good order.\u201d Her response was about as clear as fog:
\u201cThey did not explain, just told us to cease and desist renting to
you.\u201d I inquired further: \u201cI am truly mystified. Both my late
parents served in WW II. Can I contact anyone higher up?\u201d No
response. They stand on guard for ?????? \u2013 Paul Fromm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
in Long Branch The Alternative Forum Kicked Out of the Legion in Long Branch The Alternative Forum has run monthly meetings in Toronto,since January, 1979. It\u2019s an institution but, from time to time, itsmeeting space has been cancelled, often by … Continue reading