Group to hold rally after Regina mayor says: 'Never ever a time for civil disobedience'
Stephanie Taylor | CBC News | Posted: June 4, 2017 7:22 PM | Last Updated: June 4, 2017
Fougere is out of town on family business and won't attend, says spokesperson
On Monday, people are set to rally outside Regina's city hall in support of civil disobedience — an action mayor Michael Fougere says there is never a time for.
Fougere made the comment while speaking to Global Regina last week in regards to one councillor's online support for the six people arrested after refusing to leave a Saskatchewan Transportation Company bus on its final day of service.
Coun. Andrew Stevens took to Twitter, saying "civil disobedience is important."
"There is never ever a time for civil disobedience," Global reported that Fougere said in an interview in response to that tweet.
"We don't want to talk about a civil disobedience. That crosses a line that I don't accept as mayor and I don't think anyone would accept it as a rational way to go about protesting."
Fougere's remark has since drawn sharp criticism.
'Highly dangerous' remark
Florence Stratton of the group Making Peace Vigil is one of the organizer's for Monday's demonstration and called Fougere's comment "highly dangerous".
From women fighting for the vote and the civil rights movements of the 1950s and 1960s, to the actions of Rosa Parks and Gandhi , she said there are examples throughout history that prove civil disobedience has been an effective tool to challenge injustice.
In fact, the rally will take place at the Gandhi statue in front of city hall.
"We're wondering if Fougere intends to have that statue removed," said Stratton.
She explained Fougere's comment is not only troubling given his position as mayor, but also as chair of the board of police commissioners.
She pointed to the case of Simon Ash-Moccasin in which the Saskatchewan Public Complaints Commission found officers "went too far" in their use of force during an arrest.
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There's also the investigation into the death of Nadine Machiskinic, a woman who fell 10 storeys down a laundry chute, where family members felt police didn't take the case seriously.
A subsequent inquest found many police errors during the investigation.
"These kinds of police problems may have to be addressed by civil disobedience and one would expect the mayor of the city and the board of police commissioners to uphold that," explained Stratton.
'Gandhi was not living in Regina in 2017'
Ward 2 Coun. Bob Hawkins doesn't believe Fougere should apologize.
"Civil disobedience is not justified by anything that's going on in Regina," he said Sunday, adding that it is warranted in "the most extreme circumstances," like in Nazi Germany or during apartheid struggles.
Hawkins said peaceful protests are fine, but that as citizens, "our fundamental obligation is to obey the law."
Sharron Bryce, councillor for Ward 7, agrees, adding that breaking the law involves police enforcement, which costs taxpayers money.
"We don't need to break the law here in Regina to actually get our voices heard," she said Sunday.
"Gandhi was not living in Regina in 2017."
Group wants Fougere to withdraw comment
Stratton believes Fougere shouldn't retain his position unless he apologizes or at least withdraws his remark.
"I don't think a mayor who makes such a statement should keep his job."
Stratton said the mayor, along with the rest of council, have been invited to Monday's rally.
On Sunday, Fougere's spokesperson Patrick Book said the mayor is away on family business and would not be attending.
Mayor's comment 'moronic'
Jack Hicks was one of the protestors who hopped aboard the final STC bus.
He said the protest was a clear way for people to show their opposition to the Sask. Party government's decision to axe the service, adding no damage was done and communication with police was cordial on both sides.
"In a democracy, civil disobedience is perfectly valid and it's recognized as such, so I think what the mayor of Regina said is kind of shocking — that there's never a time for civil disobedience. Really?"
Hicks said he believes Fougere's comment was 'moronic.'
"I have bad news for him: there's going to be civil disobedience for at least the next three years, so he better get used to it," he said, referring to future Sask. Party budgets.