Chinook Blast postpones all-ages drag show amid fears of protests
Posted Feb 10, 2023 12:22 pm.
Last Updated Feb 10, 2023 12:24 pm.
Chinook Blast has postponed an all-ages drag show, and another show as threats of protests arose.
The organizers put a statement on its website Thursday evening, postponing Drag on Ice and DJ Gaysnakes scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Olympic Plaza.
“We understand that this may cause inconvenience for those who have already made plans to see them, and we apologize for any disruption this may cause,” the statement reads.
Hi everyone, we have made some adjustments to Chinook Blast’s final weekend schedule. Check out the link for more info:https://t.co/8yb7FHhgoe pic.twitter.com/ZH70augEeK
— Chinook Blast (@chinookblast) February 9, 2023
It’s unclear which groups were going to protest or if they still will.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek tweeted Friday that protests that condone hatred “cannot go on.”
She says the city pushed for a better way to address “protests rooted in hatred,” adding the city is going to use its street harassment bylaw.
2/4 At Council on January 17, I pushed for a better way to address protests rooted in hatred. I have received confirmation that @cityofcalgary will leverage our street harassment bylaw to fine those who openly communicate hateful messaging, to stop them in the act. pic.twitter.com/eEdtziCnBx
— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) February 10, 2023
“The new reality is that some protests are designed to perpetuate fear and hate,” Gondek said in a tweet.
“As a city that strives to be inclusive and welcoming, we have to provide safe spaces for the public to enjoy all that we have to offer – without a small group of people creating safety issues by spreading mistruths and hate. We cannot tolerate hate masked as protest.”
4/4 As a city that strives to be inclusive & welcoming, we have to provide safe spaces for the public to enjoy all that we have to offer – without a small group of people creating safety issues by spreading mistruths & hate. We cannot tolerate hate masked as protest.
— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) February 10, 2023
It says Chinook Blast will provide an update “as soon as they are confirmed” and asks people to visit its website for more information.
CityNews has reached out to Chinook Blast for comment.
