The Mayor of Cambridge, Ont., Jan Liggett, says she had to stop a teenager’s speech during the city’s Pride flag raising event on Monday and fully supports her decision.
“My actions weren’t about silencing anyone, but about refocusing,” Liggett stated in a video shared on the Office of the Mayor City of Cambridge Facebook page on Friday afternoon.
“They were aimed at protecting the integrity of an event meant to bring people together instead of dividing them. We live in a time when anger often gets more attention than understanding.”
However, right after Liggett’s statement was released on Friday, a local 2SLGBTQ-plus group demanded her resignation.
Eric Bolton and Bryan Causarano-Bolton from Grand River Pride said they “reject” the mayor’s explanation.
Mills mentioned they adjusted their speech just before speaking but noted nobody from city officials asked for prior approval.
“No one asked me for my speech,” Mills clarified. “I did share it with some people before editing it day-of; however, there wasn’t any vetting process.”
“Threats against family members or our staff are absolutely unacceptable,” remarked Liggett in her message
“The very individuals accusing us lack kindness themselves.”
She also acknowledged receiving supportive emails which demonstrate how divisive this issue remains within community circles.
“It highlights why I need remain neutral,” said ligget
“It’s essential for me create space where both sides can coexist.”
A concern she brought forth relates directly towards calls from one local pride organization urging attendees boycott festivities; while not naming specific groups involved recognized fears surrounding whether gatherings could proceed respectfully & safely
She added during her discussion with it appears this organization backs rival candidate running against herself come municipal elections scheduled October.![]()
Bryan Causarano-Bolton & Eric Bolton founders Grand River pride released statement via Instagram demanding resignation.(Submitted By Bryan causara)
Although not specifying any organizations overall , Bolton & Causarano-Bolton openly admitted leading boycott efforts.
“When we called for rallying against event we anticipated you would repeat damaging behaviors creating hostile atmosphere” they stated within own written response.
Additionally highlighting importance emphasizing accountability concerning infringement principles laid down municipal regulations particularly regarding violation freedom expression experienced by mill”
“We demand your resignation , Mayor ligget,” concluded group’s statement.
‘I’m not going to let you continue,’ mayor told teen
On Monday, 17-year-old Sophie Mills was invited to speak at the city’s Pride flag raising event. A video circulating on social media shows Mills beginning their speech. Just moments into it, Liggett stands up from her chair on stage, approaches Mills, and takes the microphone away. This happened when Mills mentioned Ward 6 Coun. Adam Cooper’s controversial Facebook post from January 2025 about pronouns and started expressing how that post affected them. Cooper’s post included a meme depicting someone with blue hair yelling toward the camera. The text read “He took my pronouns! I have to live in reality now!” referencing U. S. President Donald Trump’s executive order that rolled back many protections for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. The council voted for Cooper to undergo sensitivity training after determining he violated council’s code of conduct according to the city’s integrity commissioner. They did not impose a pay cut as recommended by the integrity commissioner. “Sophie, I’m not going to allow you to continue. This is disrespect,” Liggett said into the microphone after taking it away from Mills during Monday’s gathering. “Can you please skip that part? [Cooper] has already dealt with what he needed to go through and I don’t think this is helpful.” Liggett then handed back the microphone to Mills, who proceeded by skipping that section of their speech and continued speaking.Mayor stands by choice
In an interview with on Friday afternoon, Liggett affirmed she stands by her choice to take away the microphone from Mills. “I acted abruptly … but there was no other way to adjust the mic,” Liggett explained to . “The mic was there and I had no choice but to move it towards me and away from [Mills].” Liggett noted that Mills’s speech had been reviewed by city staff and that comments regarding Cooper were added later. She indicated that Mills should have informed city staff about delivering an altered speech when they were expected to give “the same speech they had done last weekend at another Pride event.” “If [Mills] had talked with the staff member in charge beforehand saying they intended not to deliver their planned speech anymore, then everything could’ve been handled differently,” Liggett added in her video message. Mills told they watched a council meeting on Oct. 14, 2025 where decisions were made following the integrity commissioner’s report regarding Cooper’s actions. After seeing this meeting, they decided to change part of their speech based on how Cooper’s controversial Facebook post made them feel.Mills mentioned they adjusted their speech just before speaking but noted nobody from city officials asked for prior approval.
“No one asked me for my speech,” Mills clarified. “I did share it with some people before editing it day-of; however, there wasn’t any vetting process.”
Mayor must ‘maintain a respectful and safe environment’
In her ten-minute video message, Liggett expressed part of her role includes keeping peace at events. “I must ensure there’s an environment that’s welcoming and suitable for all participants,” she said while adding she felt like Mills’s remarks breached city conduct codes during events. “To maintain respectfulness and safety means I can’t ignore personal attacks against individuals.”WATCH | Cambridge teen discusses mayor interrupting their Pride speech:Cambridge teen speaks out after mayor interrupts Pride speech
This week saw flags raised across many regions including Cambridge; however what should’ve been a celebration turned into controversy when Mayor Jan Liggett interrupted Sophie Mills’ address due mentioning Councillor Adam Cooper’s contentious social media activity.A call for resignation emerges
Liggett reported receiving accusations along with harassing messages such as death threats directed towards family members and staff following these events“Threats against family members or our staff are absolutely unacceptable,” remarked Liggett in her message
“The very individuals accusing us lack kindness themselves.”
She also acknowledged receiving supportive emails which demonstrate how divisive this issue remains within community circles.
“It highlights why I need remain neutral,” said ligget
“It’s essential for me create space where both sides can coexist.”
A concern she brought forth relates directly towards calls from one local pride organization urging attendees boycott festivities; while not naming specific groups involved recognized fears surrounding whether gatherings could proceed respectfully & safely
She added during her discussion with it appears this organization backs rival candidate running against herself come municipal elections scheduled October.
Although not specifying any organizations overall , Bolton & Causarano-Bolton openly admitted leading boycott efforts.
“When we called for rallying against event we anticipated you would repeat damaging behaviors creating hostile atmosphere” they stated within own written response.
Additionally highlighting importance emphasizing accountability concerning infringement principles laid down municipal regulations particularly regarding violation freedom expression experienced by mill”
“We demand your resignation , Mayor ligget,” concluded group’s statement.
Mistakes are made over misgendering incident
Mills also recounted experience whereby mayor misgendered them throughout same pride occasion.
“I corrected her response wasn’t great ,”mills informed chronicle
Ligett responded addressing situation confirming “using they/them pronouns wasn’t routine vocabulary.” She promised being more mindful yet expressed likely chances committing errors again moving forward.”
Nevertheless mills feels otherwise stating , “She’s elected official supposed serve public interest too! That certainly didn’t occur here.”
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