Moving toward Understanding and Reparation
For Immediate Release: Human Rights Organization Outlines Reparation Requests related to Peace and Unity Festival Closure
The events of June 29th, 2024, which forced the closure of Edmonton’s Peace and Unity Festival, underscore and demand from the Edmontonian community the need for unity and courage in the face of ongoing national and international conflicts and polarization. Those issues challenge our capacity to see each other, have dialogue, and understand how we are affected, and how to bring courage and love to face these dialogues.
Since June 29th, the event organizers have opened lines of communication and dialogue with different stakeholders involved in the closing. We aim to clarify the line of events and assess the impact. This letter is an effort to continue the conversation and seek an open resolution to the harm inflicted.
We have sent an email to the Chief of Police’s office providing a reflection and some constructive feedback on the Edmonton Police Service’s (EPS) response. We have learned that the police response was to an alleged “out of control protest” call. If this is the case, their response was excessive and based on inaccurate and misleading reports. Besides a first response to an email, there has been no subsequent effort on the part of EPS to take statements from us or to initiate any kind of dialogue.
While the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL) engaged in one meeting following the event and promised dialogue and restoration; that has yet to yield action or follow up. Similarly, initial support from one community league to host the remainder of the Festival waned quickly. We have not had any contact or received any correspondence from Wolf Willow Westridge Community League (WWWCL).
Let us be clear, none of us as organizers sympathize with the events of October 7, 2023 in which Israeli citizens and the Jewish community faced insufferable losses. Neither can we condone the violence against children, women, seniors and all who have faced and are facing the ongoing violence within Gaza, especially since October 7th. Let us also push back on the presupposition that anyone who supports Palestinians and condemns the violence inflicted on them are against Jewish people; this is not a reality. The pain of one is the pain of us all. Both communities are hurting and impacted by the events in the Middle East. Furthermore, the Peace and Unity Festival was not focused on this conflict. This was a celebration of peace and multiculturalism, of having the courage to be together, talking and seeing intergenerational, intercultural differences, and celebrating the strength that emerges from this gender, age, ability and cultural diversity.
Difficult conversations need to take place so we are not complicit in the blatant discrimination that happens close to home.
According to section two of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, “everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
a) freedom of conscience and religion;
b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
d) freedom of association.”
In the spirit of freedom of expression, we did not censor anyone’s involvement in the Festival. While the Edmonton Peace Council may have had information that WWWCL felt was inappropriate, where do we draw the line? For us, when the Palestinian vendor and an independent Jewish artist were then further targeted and demanded to be removed from the program by the WWWCL board, that is where we drew the line. It moved beyond the removal of anti-war information, which was deemed too political to the removal of a specific community, which is blatant discrimination.
The Peace and Unity Project, in collaboration with Memoria Viva and Migrante Alberta, is an effort designed to foster understanding and connection among diverse communities in Edmonton. In this Festival, we sought to openly give space to those willing to stand for peace, against all kinds of war and discrimination. We encourage you all to view the photo album of the festival, prior to police presence, to observe the beauty that was unfolding and the community that was being created.
Moving Forward
Now, in relation to the fall out at the event, we wanted to take the time to share with you the impacts of the response from WWWCL and EPS. We are also articulating below what we imagine as reparations to help us move forward in a constructive manner.
Harms Caused as a Result of Forced Closure
1. Impact on Youth: The children and young people present on June 29th witnessed exclusion and bigotry, learning that some in their community do not welcome diversity. Palestinian youth, in particular, were shown that their cultural objects and presence were offensive.
2. Fear Among Migrants: The Edmonton Police Service and Wolf Willow Westridge Community League's actions have heightened fears among migrants and temporary workers, undermining efforts to build social connections and community integration.
3. Financial Losses: The John Humphrey Centre has incurred approximately $28,236 in costs due to the forced closure of the festival. This includes expenses for sound, stage management, space rental, printing, artist fees, outreach and food.
4. Drain on Public Resources: The false report of an “out of control protest” led to a disproportionate response from the Edmonton Police Service, wasting public funds and resources.
5. Emotional and mental health impacts on community: The Edmonton Police Service’s response and Wolf Willow Westridge Community League's actions have created divides within festival participants and the community. The emotional and mental health impacts of such an incident may have long-term consequences for individuals and the community as a whole. Rebuilding trust, repairing relationships, and addressing systemic issues of prejudice and discrimination are essential for healing and moving forward.
Reparations Sought
Wolf Willow Community League
1. Reparation Space: Participation in a circle process with Peace and Unity partners to inform, educate, and work through the issues. This should be a space of mutual learning, growth and a commitment to open hearted listening and sharing.
2. Public Apology: To the vendors, artists, performers, event organizers, migrant community, and children affected by the forced closure.
3. Contribution: For the financial losses incurred due to the closure.
4. Board Audit and Education: An external audit and mandatory education for current and upcoming board members on the impact of their actions of the board that day and the human rights obligations engrained in people or groups who manage public spaces.
5. Implementation of Anti-Racism Policies: Collaborate with reputable organizations to support growth and accountability within the EFCL.
6. Disclosure and Removal of Photos: Full disclosure and removal of license plate photos taken by a board member.
Edmonton Police
1. Investigation: We are asking for a release of a statement of findings related to the nature of the calls made, the identities of callers, and the motivation of the calls. We ask what was the stethoscope used to assess the intention and reality of the claims made. When EPS arrived on site, what did they witness and what did they see that was inciting hate or promoting aggression?
2. Apology: Specifically to the migrant and Palestinian communities and children.
3. Disclosure: Of all identities and information on complainants and those from whom the police took information during the event be disclosed to the organizers.
4. Reparation Space: Participation in a circle process with Peace and Unity partners to address the harms caused.
City of Edmonton
While the City of Edmonton was not directly involved in this incident or the event, we ask that the Mayor’s Office contribute and make a statement and commitment to support the work of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and the long legacy of effort we have in the community. For over 25 years, JHC has been a beacon of light and support to amplifying issues of human rights and has always worked to find balance in our work. We ask that the Mayor reinforce what it means to be a Human Rights City where all are respected, included, belong and valued.
We look forward to making our community more inclusive and united. We are working hard to find an alternative date and venue to have our evening performances. Please be in touch and please consider making a charitable contribution to the Peace and Unity Fund to help us finish the festival while continuing to honour performers, artists and elders.
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The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights works to advance dignity, freedom, justice, and security through collaborative relationships and transformative education on peace and human rights.
For additional information, contact:
Renée Vaugeois, Executive Director
Email: renee@jhcentre.org Phone: (780) 975 1116