Protesters participating in an anti-SOGI event will be met by counter-protesters in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
Participants in the national "1 Million March 4 Children" will be gathering at 1 p.m. at 969 Robson St. (near CTV's Vancouver offices) with a march starting at 1:15 p.m. Posters for the event do not indicate the march's destination.
On the group's website organizers state they're advocating for the end of "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools." On their site and social media organizers are critical of gender-affirming care for trans children and post about teaching about gender and sexuality.
Critics online have called the protest "right-wing extremism" fueled by conspiracies.
In response to the group's plans, a counter-protest has been organized to support the trans community at the Vancouver Art Gallery at noon on Sept. 20.
One of the organizers of the original protest has posted a video warning his supporters of counter-protests across Canada, saying that heterosexual families face oppression in Canada and tells counter-protesters that his organization will protest Pride events if there is a counter-protest.
The VPD confirms it has plans for the protests.
"We will have dedicated officers assigned to minimize disruptions and ensure people can peacefully express their views," Sgt. Steve Addison tells V.I.A. in an email. "We will provide updates about traffic disruptions on social media if we think people need to find an alternate route."
