Ontario NDP MPP Laura Mae Lindo has called out the City of Kitchener for letting an event with prominent Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson proceed. .“There’s no room for hate in Kitchener or Ontario,” said Lindo in a Wednesday statement. .“Mr. Peterson’s racist and transphobic worldview are simply not welcome here.”.Peterson spoke at the Centre in the Square on Wednesday. .The organizers of the protest, dubbed Hate is Not Welcome Here, said the demonstration was being held to confront Peterson’s “violent hate speech.” The organizers said he “preaches nazi and white supremacist ideology” and “supports racist and transphobic child abuse.”.Lindo praised the people who will be gathering outside the event to protest it. She added she stands with these people because they are “united in rejecting the hateful and divisive rhetoric that targets our neighbours and makes our neighbourhoods unsafe.”.She said after Peterson released videos about her racial equity work, he and his supporters subjected her office to weeks of harassment and threats. Despite these attempts to silence her, she said she remains undeterred. .Peterson condemned Lindo for introducing Bill 67 in March. .Bill 67 would require teachers to undergo anti-racism and equity training, have school boards submit anti-racism accountability reports, and impose fines for students and staff through racist language. .“Bill 67, which purports to be nothing but an anti-racist bill is in fact, the most pernicious and dangerous piece of legislation that any Canadian government has attempted to put forward,” said Peterson. .“It will make mandatory the subversion of the entire education system in Ontario.".Lindo went on to say that she invites people in Kitchener to join with her in speaking out against Peterson. .“That is what leading with love looks like,” she said. .“And that is how we will heal from the division Mr. Peterson’s rhetoric brings.”.Queer political action group Acting Out WR wrote a letter to Kitchener city council in March that demanded the event be cancelled. .Acting Out WR said Kitchener was presiding over “a notable harm.” .“When Jordan Peterson was invited to speak at the Centre in the Square, a publicly-owned facility, the City of Kitchener through its board representation and ownership stake in the facility committed to a course of action that is bringing and will continue to bring great harm to the Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, queer and trans and nonbinary communities.”
