'Leave Our Kids Alone': Massive Rally in Ottawa Demands an End to Gender Ideology in Schools (Video)

On June 9th, 2023, a significant rally took place in Ottawa, Canada, organized by “Billboard Chris” Elston and teen activist Josh Alexander. The protest, known as the “Education Over Indoctrination” rally, addressed concerns about gender ideology being taught in Canadian schools. The event was not without controversy, as counter-protesters, including far-left activists, staged a demonstration of their own. The clash between the two groups sheds light on the complexity of the issue and the various perspectives involved.

The Rally’s Message

Billboard Chris and Josh Alexander initiated the protest march to express their opposition to the sexual mutilation and sterilization of children through surgeries and chemical interventions associated with transsexualism. They argue that children, who are legally unable to engage in activities such as getting a tattoo or buying cigarettes or alcohol, should not be allowed to make irreversible decisions about their gender identity without parental knowledge or consent.

Counter-Protest and Narrative Attack

Counter-protesters, supported by the “Canadian Anti-Hate Network” and funded by the Canadian government, organized the “Drown Out Hate” counter-protest. They accused the rally organizers of being anti-trans or anti-gay, using the classic tactic of projecting arguments onto their opponents. The counter-protesters employed narratives that dismissed genuine concerns, mirroring what we have observed in discussions regarding mRNA injections, the mass migration of potentially hostile individuals, and skepticism towards the extent of global warming caused by human carbon emissions.”

They prominently displayed symbols associated with communism, albeit in a subtler manner. Among them were ANTIFA logos, hats with phrases like “Class War Veteran” and “Smash the CIS-TEM,” which challenges the binary concept of biological sexes required for reproduction. Noteworthy was a man wearing a white T-shirt featuring the red emblem of the City of Ottawa, often described as three tightly grouped sixes held by a red fist—a reminiscent symbol of 20th-century communist movements.

The far left created an illegal barricade to obstruct the planned march route, violating Canadian law prohibiting blocking public roadways. They deceitfully portrayed the protest as anti-trans, anti-gay, or opposed to protecting “trans rights” without providing any clear definition of those rights.

The counter-protesters employed narratives that dismissed genuine concerns, mirroring what we have observed in discussions regarding mRNA injections, mass migration of potentially hostile individuals, and skepticism towards the extent of global warming caused by human carbon emissions. In these instances, any questioning or differing viewpoints are often met with insults or accusations unrelated to the real concerns being raised.

Ironies and Diverse Participants

Interestingly, some of the individuals labeled as “Nazis,” “far-right extremists,” or “bigots” were Muslim, including sharia-adherent Muslim women wearing full-face coverings. They opposed the encroachments on their children’s rights and physical and mental well-being. This showcased the diversity of perspectives within the protest and counter-protest movements.

The Tweet below features a white liberal man accusing Muslim women and a woman of color of being fascists and bigots.

A brave white man calls women of color fascists and bigots. What a crazy world we live in. #muslimsandchristians pic.twitter.com/DJng0P757a

— Your Ole Pal Datagod (@datagod) June 10, 2023

Perspectives on Gender Ideology

Billboard Chris, backed by research, argued against the medical interventions and emphasized the need for parental consent and careful consideration of the long-term consequences of such treatments. The radical counter-protesters demanded that the school system help promote transgender issues in their curriculum.

In the video below, BillBoard Chris elucidates their motives for organizing this demonstration, standing in front of another ANTIFA barricade in Ottawa’s West End. RN Bethan Nodwell also provides a few words about the event to the RAIR Foundation, and it is evident that many Muslims join the freedom-minded individuals in safeguarding the rights and well-being of their own children.

Former Member of Parliament Derek Sloan also attended the demonstration and shared a few words with the attendees.

School Board Policies and Controversy:

The left-wing Ottawa-Carleton District School Board requested that protests take place away from schools, asserting that schools should be focused on learning and not targeted for political demonstrations. The board accused Elston and associated individuals of promoting inflammatory and transphobic content. The controversy surrounding gender ideology in schools also stems from recent school board directives requiring the use of they/them pronouns for all students until informed otherwise and the integration of teachings about LGBT identities into the learning environment without debate or selective participation.

Altercations and Arrests

Throughout the day, tensions escalated between the protesters and counter-protesters, leading to a series of confrontations and subsequent arrests. The Ottawa Police Service, while prioritizing public safety, maintained a stance of neutrality, refraining from endorsing any specific cause. However, it is worth noting that in previous protests, the Ottawa police have faced criticism for their perceived inaction in protecting concerned parents and peaceful protesters from aggressive encounters with left-wing radicals.

Muslim Community Concerns

Over a hundred members of Ottawa’s Muslim community joined the protest, expressing their disapproval of gender ideology being taught to children. They highlighted the need for children to comprehend the implications of such teachings regarding their sexuality. The Islamic protesters advocated for the right to raise their children according to their beliefs while respecting the rights of others.

A Muslim mother and her son describe why they joined the Education Over Indoctrination protest in Ottawa

Footage by @BethBaisch pic.twitter.com/0w9F3Ocgq5

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 9, 2023

This mother and daughter are furious that gender ideology is being taught st schools. At one point antifa pushed the mother to the ground. pic.twitter.com/aKFtNUj92X

— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) June 9, 2023

Similar protests in the United States

In the United States, recent protests have erupted in Maryland over a curriculum change that lacks transparency regarding the books taught to students. The Montgomery County Public Schools system announced its plan in 2022 to introduce a new curriculum that includes a revised book list, covering topics such as “sexual and gender identity” for students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade.

Parents, feeling agitated by the lack of advance information, have been urging the schools to reinstate the “opt-out” option, allowing them to make choices regarding their children’s exposure to certain materials.

In another incident last October, in Dearborn, the only Muslim-majority city in the US, parents were taken aback when they discovered sexually explicit content in the books used in their children’s schools. Following protests at a school board meeting, the district implemented temporary restrictions on accessing these controversial books.