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.
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