The international Transgender Day of Remembrance is being commemorated with an event in Abbotsford on Monday, Nov. 20.
The No Space for Hate group holds a rally at 3 p.m. followed by a sunset vigil in Jubilee Park, 2552 McCallum Rd.
“The event will honour those who have lost their lives from the damage of systemic discrimination and harassment because of their gender identity while advocating for the rights and safety of all children,” the group states in a press release.
The group asks that Abbotsford citizens stand with them in recognizing that “an injury to one is an injury to all and there is no freedom until all children are free from systemic discrimination, including parental abuse.”
“We remind everyone that there is no respect of life or children until we respect all children, irrespective of their cultural background or gender identity. Trans lives matter,” said Lydia of No Space of Hate Abbotsford.
The local group is part of the national No Space for Hate (NSFH) movement that represents 2SLGBTQIA+ families in Abbotsford.
“We acknowledge that the rights of parents are structured to protect the actual legal rights of children, not to control or oppress the will and identity of human beings in the care of their guardians,” said Alexis, a NSFH organizer. “Children belong to themselves. To rise to their future, they must be allowed to survive to their future.”
A group member, Sean, said they are looking forward to “honouring our lost friends and family and share hope for a future we can all survive for.”
“It’s hypocritical that an adult would howl about saving children while simultaneously pushing them off bicycles as part of violent and angry mobs,” Sean said. “We know our town is better than this.”
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