A commentary by a resident of North Saanich.
There have been some intriguing and disturbing comments lately from some of last winter’s “Freedom Convoy” participants. The gist of the comments is that the demonstrators feel “demonized” for campaigning against COVID mask and vaccine mandates — that they shouldn’t have to abide by the mandates as it takes away their freedom.
And they feel that they have been “demonized” by society for their beliefs. Notwithstanding this country’s freedoms that allow people to assemble and demonstrate, I find it difficult to understand why anyone would purposefully increase their chances of contracting a potentially deadly disease by refusing a free vaccine (well, paid for by all of us through taxes) and not wearing an effective, yet inexpensive mask.
And then trying to persuade the rest of us to do the same, putting everyone in increased peril.
A common theme of the largest and lengthiest demonstration was the prominent display of Canadian flags of all sizes waving in the frigid mid-winter Ottawa winds, not to mention placards pertaining to the Prime Minister — the latter in language not fit for anyone, especially the convoy’s children, whom they proudly included in their demonstrations.
But it’s not the placards that disturbed me the most, although they did speak volumes about the mindset of the mob. It was the flagrant use of our Maple Leaf flag in those demonstrations on Parliament Hill and elsewhere.
We in sa国际传媒 are not alone in what I believe to be a misuse of our flag. In the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection on Capitol Hill in Washington, it was, of course, not the Maple Leaf, but the Stars and Stripes that were prominently carried by an unruly and armed group attempting to topple the U.S. government.
Perhaps the Canadian antics — in the depths of winter in Ottawa — were not quite as serious as what transpired in Washington. But the two were eerily similar. Which brings me back to my reference to demonizing, specifically of the Canadian flag.
For me, the Maple Leaf has always been a symbol of pride in being Canadian. But seeing that same flag flying in anti-everything demonstrations here in sa国际传媒 has changed my reaction to the Maple Leaf — especially when I see it flying on any kind of wheels. Are the people in those vehicles proudly displaying their patriotism, or making a statement against COVID mandates? Or the government? Or both?
It is a question I can’t answer. But for me, what happened on Parliament Hill last winter didn’t stay on Parliament Hill. It demonized my country’s flag.
Now, instead of triggering pride, it often triggers a negative gut reaction, and a fear of just how fragile our country may be.
Let’s hope for less fracturing, and more healing in our country and elsewhere. That is what I am wishing for in the New Year.
