November 17, 2010
Toby Barrett, Conservative MPP Halidmand-Norfolk
One day after Remembrance Day, Christie Blatchford was to deliver a speech at the University of Waterloo on her book Helpless: Caledonia ’s Nightmare of Fear and Anarchy, and How the Law Failed All of Us.
One day after we paid tribute to those who fought to the death for such rights as Freedom of Speech, Ms. Blatchford was prevented from speaking..
A university spokesperson said, “Unfortunately there is a small minority that felt that they would win if they’d just sit on the stage and yell ‘racist, racist, racist’”.
“They did win,” said Blatchford. “If their whole goal is to shut down free speech, then absolutely, they were successful.”
An online photo shows protestors carrying a swastika across the stage.
This is not over Speaker -- The First Nations Solidarity Working Group has issued a call to organize and respond to Blatchford as she makes her way across Canada promoting her book.
Freedom of expression and free speech is important – people have fought to their death for these freedoms. Don’t impose censorship on another because you don’t agree. Intimidation is wrong and cowardly. If you want to get your message out you need to let others do the same.
Christie Blatchford may return to Waterloo . She is speaking tonight in Hamilton -- I trust her right to freedom of expression is enforced.