An Eye Witness Account to the Death of Freedom of Speech at the U of O

Yesterday was supposed to be a banner day.  First I was to go to Tom Flanagan's book launch for "Beyond the Indian Act, Restoring Aboriginal Property Rights" and then it was off to the University of  Ottawa to hear Ezra Levant and Ann Coulter talk about free speech, an event sponsored by the International Free Press Society.

So shortly before five I met my good friend Fred from GayandRight in the lobby of 99 Bank St. so we could go up together to the very swank and lovely Rideau Club, chat with friends, buy a book and have it signed by a great Canadian!  And this we did.  Of course the room was all abuzz because Ms Coulter was at the club for another event which I did not have a invite for! But no matter, I was a mere few hours away from listening to her blondness.

Tom Flanagan

                                                                                                                                                                     

It was good event and I look forward to reading the book.  You should buy it too!

The hour was nearing six and I was off to the U of O to find parking and stand in line for the highlight of the day's events!  Parking was handily solved and I did find the line for Coulter - the end of which was a block and a half from the front door.

I was in line for only a few minutes when I was unexpectedly but delighted to be joined by Trina Morrisette (Conservative candidate for Ottawa Centre in the last provincial election).  Soon we were joined by some other very smashing conservative gals, all excited to see one of our own!  Slowly but surely the line plodded along until we could see the front doors.  The rain came spitting down and the wind blew, while we were desperately wishing that all those who didn't have reservations would just get out of line so we could get inside. 

It was then that Trina spotted a former campaign volunteer who also happened to be one of the volunteers for this event.  Within moments we were winding our way through hundreds and hundreds of bodies, some of which were none to pleased to see us escorted through this mass.

We entered the auditorium, found seats and chatted about the excitement to come.  Oddly the hall was not filling and it seemed that we were a few of the last to be shown into Marion Hall.  There were less than a hundred people there. 

Student volunteers were speaking among themselves of a crowd gone mad, that they had blockaded the entry way to ensure that no one could enter or leave.  Ezra Levant and Bjorn Larsen among others were milling around, it was clear something was going on.  Then the fire alarm went off.  It was loud, very loud but nobody moved from their seats.  We all knew that there was no fire, but rather a feeble attempt to silence.  This went on for almost 20 minutes!

And the wait continued.

Finally Ezra stepped up to the mic.  You could see from his face the frustration and the sadness.  As always Ezra was eloquent and succinct.  He spoke of how at Western the university president said that he would not comment on Coulter but he welcomed the debate that she would bring.  He spoke of the difference of that university's leadership and that of the U of O. 

VP Houle had the audacity to send Miss Coulter an email that was nothing more than a veiled threat.  That action then sent the student council into full lefty indignation by issuing an edict that Ann Coulter be banned from campus.  Houle's message let the lunatic fringe know that they could accomplish this by whatever means necessary.  Ezra was very correct when he mused that a fish rots from the head down!

Then the most shocking statement of all the audience was then informed that security and police advised that it was physically unsafe for Ann Coulter to come tonight.  Cries of "We want Ann" rang through the audience but to no avail, Miss Coulter would follow the advice in regards to her safety.  I echo Ezra's sentiments that this sad cancellation proved how necessary the tour was  and how it is very ironic that an American was the catalyst to clearly show the deficiency of freedom of speech in Canada.

          

Ezra Levant

Bjorn Larsen of IFPS started to speak and it was obvious that he was incredulous by the turn of events of the evening.  He had the sad duty of having to tell those gathered how to safely exit the building as it would be unsafe to exit via the way we entered.

It was then that some very unattractive women in the back started shouting "Ann go home" which was immediately repudiated by emphatic cries of  "We want Ann".  Bjorn could only shake his head and tell the hags that they got their way, that Ann was not coming so it was time for them to go.  He promised that IFPS would bring Coulter back to Ottawa and that those who wanted a refund could get one but encouraged everyone to consider buying a membership to that fine organization.  Then it ended.

 

Bjorn Larsen

I promptly went to pay my $75 membership fee and gave a donation.  The fight for free speech in Canada just took another turn and we need to build a war chest.  It is not enough to write letters to editors or go to events, we must contribute financially to support those who are on the front lines of this war and make no mistake, this is war.

What happened last night was shameful, frightening and profoundly sad. 

Shameful that an institution that should encourage debate instead incites censorship and bully tactics.

Frightening that a generation is being educated to think that free speech does not need to be protected.

Sad that one day my grandchildren may not have the right to say what they want no matter how right, wrong, stupid or brilliant.

A dear friend who called me to find out just what happened reminded me of a profoundly apropos quote from Ronald Reagan: "Freedom is only one generation away from extinction." 

Before I left I took my copy of  "Guilty"  and approached Ezra to ask if he would sign it.  When I got home, I opened the cover to find that he had written the perfect message.

Freedom!