2 arrested in Victoria during protests over gender identity education in schools
Police asked people to leave legislature amid 'unsafe' conditions
At least two people were arrested in B.C.'s capital after protests around teaching gender diversity in schools became "unsafe," according to police.
Two people had been arrested in Victoria as of 6 p.m. PT Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Victoria Police Department was unable to provide details about who were arrested or why.
Police released a statement Wednesday afternoon advising residents that the area near the legislature, where the protests have been occurring, was "unsafe."
However, some people who attended the demonstrations say the protests were peaceful.
Connie Carter, who arrived at the legislature around 1:30 p.m., said the environment felt safe and caring.
"It felt like a really affirming and quite loving environment," she said.
She said she and her partner did receive one hateful comment when they arrived.
Carter also said she observed people on both sides of the protests trying to talk to each other.
"I didn't see any danger. I didn't see any physical violence. I didn't see anyone yelling."
In an email to CBC News, the police department said that at 12:30 p.m., counter protesters "pushed past police and rushed the stage of the planned demonstration."
"Based on the crowd dynamics the speeches were stopped, and there was no further opportunity for individuals to express their views in a safe space," a spokesperson said, adding that tensions between the groups continued to increase.
As of 6 p.m. PT, police said people were still protesting at the legislature. At one point, police estimated there were 2,500 people protesting.
Protests in other cities
Meanwhile in Vancouver, CBC News witnessed one person being taken away by police in handcuffs, although police have yet to provide details. The Vancouver Police Department has not responded to CBC's requests for more information.
In Prince George, police apprehended one protester when he tried to block speakers at a pro-LGBTQ rally.
Events in other cities such as Kamloops and Kelowna, where hundreds of people from both sides met outside the courthouse and city hall, remained peaceful.
Thousands showed up to rallies Wednesday to protest and support the inclusion of lessons about gender and sexual diversity in B.C. classrooms.
Similar events happened across Canada, with some parents and socially conservative groups protesting LGBTQ-inclusive education policies in the classroom and in extracurricular settings under the banner of parental rights. But critics and researchers say the term "parental rights" is a misnomer because it doesn't address the concerns of LGBTQ parents or parents of LGBTQ children.
The rallies were prompted by a group called 1 Million March 4 Children, whose posters say participants are "standing together against gender ideology in schools" — which, in B.C., refers to the teaching of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) programs in public schools.
Arrests have also been reported in Ottawa and Halifax.
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With files from Andrew Kurjata and CHEK News