A large convoy of cars gathered outside the home of Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey to express their concerns about what they perceive as an increased promotion of sexual indoctrination in the province’s schools. The protesters, frustrated with the premier’s alleged lack of responsiveness, decided to “bring the fight” to his home instead.
In a video posted on Twitter on July 9, one protester stated that the government sends paid counter-protesters to City Hall and that the group wanted to make sure their voices were heard. The premier, who is unrelated to journalist Anthony Furey, did not respond to inquiries at the time.
The protesters arrived at the premier’s home with a “surprise” convoy adorned with smoke flares, flags, and megaphones. Leading the demonstration was Dana Metcalfe, a self-identified media personality who runs Raven News, an alternative media channel, and Project Indigo. The protest was part of Project Indigo, an initiative aimed at protecting parental rights and the preservation of childhood and innocence.
During the protest, an unidentified woman expressed the group’s grievances, stating their opposition to SOGI 123 (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity). She emphasized their refusal to stand for the sexualization of children and the infringement on parental rights. While it is unclear if Premier Furey was home at the time, he was not visible in the video.
Project Indigo’s mission, as stated on their website, is to unify humanity and free children from the bondage of indoctrination and the sexualization of their innocence, allowing them to simply be kids. They encourage other parents to get involved by organizing parades and creating flags and stickers to support the preservation of childhood.
The video of the convoy protest was shared on TikTok and received significant engagement, with 29,000 views, 2,400 likes, 389 comments, and 642 shares, according to one of the protesters.
The demonstration at the premier’s home was prompted by the extensive emphasis on pride celebrations in Canadian schools during the month of June. Many school boards and government officials mandated these events, leaving some parents dissatisfied with what they perceived as an excessive focus on gender and pride celebrations.
On June 5, a video circulated on social media showcasing École St. Matthew’s, an elementary school in St. John’s, N.L., celebrating “pride day.” The school was adorned with rainbow flags, and teachers dressed up for the occasion. There was a drag queen performance during the school assembly. The school faced criticism on social media, with threats and accusations reported.
Trent Langdon, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, acknowledged the backlash faced by the school. He emphasized that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community had long endured discrimination and that it was time for change.
In response to the growing polarization, a rally was organized in St. John’s on July 9. Protesters held signs advocating for the preservation of childhood, an end to the SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) program, and stating that schools are for education, not indoctrination.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission released a statement on June 7, affirming the rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The commission supported educating children and youth about gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation as a means to raise awareness of their rights. They condemned the planned protest against these educational efforts, describing it as motivated by exclusivity, hatred, and injustice.
With tensions running high, it is evident that both sides of the debate hold strong convictions. The concerns expressed by the protesters regarding parental rights and the sexualization of children underscore a need for open dialogue and understanding. As the conversation continues, the hope is that a middle ground can be found that respects the rights of all parties involved.
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