A year after Pride flags were taken down in Norwich and other areas of Ontario’s Oxford County, nine rainbow flags were raised across different communities in a single day, with hopes from police and supporters that conflicts won’t happen again this year.
On Friday, Pride flags were raised one after another throughout the day across the regional municipality, including outside municipal offices or in public parks, in these locations:
Woodstock. Blandford-Blenheim. East-Zorra Tavistock. Zorra. Ingersoll. South-West Oxford. Tillsonburg. Norwich. Oxford County headquarters.
“Today, we’re making history in Oxford County – we’re raising nine Progress-Pride flags,” Tami Murray, president of Oxford Pride, said at the Zorra Township event. “This is the first time ever that every township, every town, every city in Oxford County will be raising a flag, so we’re very excited today.”
Last year, several communities in Oxford became hotspots for conflict over Pride flags, especially in Norwich, where there’s a strong following of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation.
In that community last year, flags were often torn down. At one point, the town voted to prohibit Pride and other non-governmental flags on township property-a decision that grabbed national attention.
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Many of those opposing the raising of the Pride flag on Friday came carrying Canada flags. (Andrew Lupton/CBC)
This January, the town reversed its ban on non-governmental flags on town property after some councillors recognized that it caused tension and division within the community.
On Friday, not everyone was pleased to see Pride flags going up at municipal offices ahead of June’s celebrations.
<p/About a dozen people showed up to oppose flag raisings in Zorra, Ingersoll and other places. Some attendees carried Canadian flags attached to hockey sticks while standing off to the side during the ceremonies.
At both Zorra Township and Ingersoll events for raising flags, Mike Verwolf held a sign stating “No special interest flags on public flag poles.”
“The reason we’re here is really to state that only Canadian flags and other governmental flags should be flown on public flag poles,” he said.
“We have a [Pride] flag that’s being flown for a month and it isn’t even June yet. There’s a duty of state neutrality; when we’re flying special interest flags like this one we’re not unifying as a country around it.” He added that supporting the Canadian flag is crucial as it’s something that brings people together culturally.
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The Pride flag was raised at various locations across Oxford County. (Andrew Lupton/CBC)
OPP Constable Randi Crawford and another officer attended each flag-raising event on Friday without any incidents occurring-a situation she hopes continues through Pride month.
“We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to celebrate their views peacefully,” said Crawford. “That’s what happened today and I’m very grateful for that.”
Murray mentioned that opposition from some people won’t discourage her or those who support Pride.
She highlighted how many police officers and municipal politicians joined Friday’s ceremonies showing their support.
“We may face challenges moving forward but our allies are stepping up,” she stated confidently.
“They’re really backing our community saying ‘We won’t accept hate.’ I’m hoping for unity within our community this year.”
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She highlighted how many police officers and municipal politicians joined Friday’s ceremonies showing their support.
“We may face challenges moving forward but our allies are stepping up,” she stated confidently.“They’re really backing our community saying ‘We won’t accept hate.’ I’m hoping for unity within our community this year.”
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