By a vote of 14 to 4, and after an hour’s debate, the City Council here amended its parks by-law to ban neo-Nazi leader John Beattie from speaking in the city’s parks until his case is heard before the courts for violating the bylaw’s no-hate clause.
Beattie was charged last month following a Hitler style tirade in Allan Gardens where he was protected by police from a howling mob who drowned out his words. He has since again applied for a permit to speak in September. The four dissenting Councillors argued that while they detested Beattie’s views he had a right to free speech until convicted of breaking the law.
Earlier this month a deputation of taxpayers and clergymen joined the Canadian Jewish Congress in asking the City to hold up further speaking permits to persons under charge of violating the by-law. The City Council’s amendment extends not only to the anti-hate incitement clause but all other parts of its by-law such as using obscene and abusive language.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
