The new Rainbow Pride sidewalk at Ponoka United Church was defaced with tar and eggs and MLA-elect for Lacombe-Ponoka Jennifer Johnson was invited to come out for its clean up..She did not attend, the Western Standard has learned..It is unclear if the invitation was sent directly to Johnson or if she knew the sidewalk was being cleaned.."Ms. Johnson did not join us today, but she is always welcome here, either for future painting or on Sunday morning," a representative from Ponoka United Church told the Western Standard Friday..The first day of Pride Month was Thursday,."Ponoka RCMP received a report that someone had thrown eggs at the United Church and had splattered tar and an unknown substance on the rainbow walkway leading up to the church doors," the Alberta RCMP stated.."While RCMP starts their investigation, we are asking for community assistance. Until suspects are identified and interviewed, their exact motivations remain unknown.".According to Jessica Jones, a member of Ponoka Pride Society, the vandalism likely occurred during the night, Ponoka News reported.."Jones added newly elected MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka Jennifer Johnson has been invited to come out and help clean up the sidewalk," Ponoka News said..On Friday the sidewalk was cleaned without Johnson.."We'd like to extend a massive thank you to the members of Ponoka Pride Society and to the community members of all ages from Ponoka and Maskwacis who came out this morning to help repair our sidewalk," Ponoka United Church said.."As the saying goes, 'many hands make light work', and many hands there certainly were. Happy Pride Month!".Johnson could not be reached for comment..During the election, the Alberta NDP released an audio recording from last fall when it claims Johnson is heard "making transphobic comments.".“It does not matter that we’re in the top 3% of the world. Who cares if they got 89% in Chemistry 30? Who cares that they’re entering post-secondary if they’re chemically castrated?” Johnson said in the recording, implying grades don't matter if children are mutilated..The Alberta NDP claims Johnson was talking about how Alberta's high test scores don’t matter because some students are transgender..“‘Enjoy (the cookies), I only put a teaspoon of poop in them, but it doesn’t matter because it’s only a teaspoon in the whole batch,'” the NDP claim Johnson said, which is comparing trans people to mixing a teaspoon of feces into a batch of baked goods..“Same idea — we can be top 3%, but that little bit of poop is what wrecks it.”.The comments made by Johnson were at a Western Unity Group forum last September.."I am completely upset Johnson was elected as MLA because she has proven she's not a friend of the LGBTQ community and if she wants to apologize for her past statements she can come and clean up her mess," said transgender activist and human rights advocate Chevi Rabbitt.."She can walk her talk with her apology and help repaint the United Church Rainbow Sidewalk because this is my small town and this is where I'm from. This is my small town and I'm proud to be from Ponoka. I have a lot of LGBTQ friends in Lacombe and Ponoka and Maskwacis.".Rabbitt said she encourages all LGBTQ families and their alliances to show love throughout Ponoka.."I will not stand for any hate or racism or gender discrimination. Proud member of the LGBTQ community, but I also have a lot of friends in the United Conservative Party," Rabbitt said.."I fully support the party, but I will not support a candidate who in the past has been homophobic and transphobic. This is Johnson's moment to apologize and walk her talk by painting the sidewalk. Johnson must walk her talk and apologize for her actions and not with her words.".Rabbitt said this was Johnson's moment to show the LGBTQ families in Ponoka that she stands with them.."We all say stupid things and we all say things we regret, we are all allowed to apologize, but she's a leader, so she must apologize for her actions," Rabbitt said..READ MORE: UPDATED: Smith says controversial UCP candidate won't sit in caucus if elected.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Johnson used offensive language and won't be allowed to sit in caucus.."She will not sit as a member of the United Conservative caucus in the Legislature," Smith said.."I strongly encourage Ms. Johnson to meet with parents, students, teachers, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to learn, grow and inform herself about these issues and how to discuss them with dignity and in a manner respectful to all involved.".The Western Standard reached out to Johnson for comment, but so far hasn't heard back.
The new Rainbow Pride sidewalk at Ponoka United Church was defaced with tar and eggs and MLA-elect for Lacombe-Ponoka Jennifer Johnson was invited to come out for its clean up..She did not attend, the Western Standard has learned..It is unclear if the invitation was sent directly to Johnson or if she knew the sidewalk was being cleaned.."Ms. Johnson did not join us today, but she is always welcome here, either for future painting or on Sunday morning," a representative from Ponoka United Church told the Western Standard Friday..The first day of Pride Month was Thursday,."Ponoka RCMP received a report that someone had thrown eggs at the United Church and had splattered tar and an unknown substance on the rainbow walkway leading up to the church doors," the Alberta RCMP stated.."While RCMP starts their investigation, we are asking for community assistance. Until suspects are identified and interviewed, their exact motivations remain unknown.".According to Jessica Jones, a member of Ponoka Pride Society, the vandalism likely occurred during the night, Ponoka News reported.."Jones added newly elected MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka Jennifer Johnson has been invited to come out and help clean up the sidewalk," Ponoka News said..On Friday the sidewalk was cleaned without Johnson.."We'd like to extend a massive thank you to the members of Ponoka Pride Society and to the community members of all ages from Ponoka and Maskwacis who came out this morning to help repair our sidewalk," Ponoka United Church said.."As the saying goes, 'many hands make light work', and many hands there certainly were. Happy Pride Month!".Johnson could not be reached for comment..During the election, the Alberta NDP released an audio recording from last fall when it claims Johnson is heard "making transphobic comments.".“It does not matter that we’re in the top 3% of the world. Who cares if they got 89% in Chemistry 30? Who cares that they’re entering post-secondary if they’re chemically castrated?” Johnson said in the recording, implying grades don't matter if children are mutilated..The Alberta NDP claims Johnson was talking about how Alberta's high test scores don’t matter because some students are transgender..“‘Enjoy (the cookies), I only put a teaspoon of poop in them, but it doesn’t matter because it’s only a teaspoon in the whole batch,'” the NDP claim Johnson said, which is comparing trans people to mixing a teaspoon of feces into a batch of baked goods..“Same idea — we can be top 3%, but that little bit of poop is what wrecks it.”.The comments made by Johnson were at a Western Unity Group forum last September.."I am completely upset Johnson was elected as MLA because she has proven she's not a friend of the LGBTQ community and if she wants to apologize for her past statements she can come and clean up her mess," said transgender activist and human rights advocate Chevi Rabbitt.."She can walk her talk with her apology and help repaint the United Church Rainbow Sidewalk because this is my small town and this is where I'm from. This is my small town and I'm proud to be from Ponoka. I have a lot of LGBTQ friends in Lacombe and Ponoka and Maskwacis.".Rabbitt said she encourages all LGBTQ families and their alliances to show love throughout Ponoka.."I will not stand for any hate or racism or gender discrimination. Proud member of the LGBTQ community, but I also have a lot of friends in the United Conservative Party," Rabbitt said.."I fully support the party, but I will not support a candidate who in the past has been homophobic and transphobic. This is Johnson's moment to apologize and walk her talk by painting the sidewalk. Johnson must walk her talk and apologize for her actions and not with her words.".Rabbitt said this was Johnson's moment to show the LGBTQ families in Ponoka that she stands with them.."We all say stupid things and we all say things we regret, we are all allowed to apologize, but she's a leader, so she must apologize for her actions," Rabbitt said..READ MORE: UPDATED: Smith says controversial UCP candidate won't sit in caucus if elected.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Johnson used offensive language and won't be allowed to sit in caucus.."She will not sit as a member of the United Conservative caucus in the Legislature," Smith said.."I strongly encourage Ms. Johnson to meet with parents, students, teachers, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to learn, grow and inform herself about these issues and how to discuss them with dignity and in a manner respectful to all involved.".The Western Standard reached out to Johnson for comment, but so far hasn't heard back.
