VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Holding signs, singing songs and chanting, nearly 100 protesters surrounded the Central Library in downtown Vancouver Thursday night.
The protesters gathered at the Central Public library opposing an event held by writer Meghan Murphy. Thursday’s event focused on gender identity and transgender issues, which she has spoken out against in the past, prompting backlash form the LGBTQ community. The VPL has been criticized for allowing the private event to go forward, though the Chief Librarian has said they don’t endorse the views of the founder of the website Feminist Current.
A group of protesters are gathering outside the Vancouver Public Library tonight. They are rallying against controversial writer/speaker Meghan Murphy who is holding a discussion at the library here tonight. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/QppOdmUYHb
— Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) January 11, 2019
Colin McKenna was at the protest, and says Murphy’s event should have never been allowed to happen at the popular library. He says many marginalized people now find the library unsafe.
“We don’t feel that this is a safe space any longer,” he says. “We understand the Civil Liberties Association in B.C. is saying that the library is doing the right thing. We don’t feel that’s the case.”
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McKenna has asked the Chief Librarian to remove safe space stickers from the library following the decision to allow her to speak.
“Safe space stickers are something that LGBTQ people really look for,” he says. “We don’t feel this is safe space any longer.”
Despite backlash from the LGBTQ community, the Vancouver Public Library refused to cancel Murphy’s private event.
Speakers are coming up, and speaking against the event. Many are highlighting the additional distress transgender people suffer on a daily basis. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/T7WGFQKTwT
— Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) January 11, 2019
