Police group pulls fundraiser for YWCA Hamilton after activist makes critical remarks in gala speech

A volunteer committee made up of current and former Hamilton Police Service members says it will no longer support the YWCA Hamilton with a fundraiser that has raised over $130,000 since 2021.

A committee member confirmed to CBC Hamilton the decision was made following the YWCA's Women of Distinction Awards gala in March, in which an honouree criticized police while accepting an award. 

"This year, several of the committee volunteers attended the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. Unfortunately, the tenor of the evening left the volunteers feeling disheartened and unwelcome," police Sgt. Alexis Petrovic told CBC Hamilton in an email.

Petrovic is a member of Project First to Respond, a group of volunteers that is behind an annual golf tournament that has been held in support of the local YWCA for the past three years. 

She said members' discomfort at the gala prompted them to "look at broader community needs and the decision to partner with a different community organization every year."

Petrovic declined to say anything more about the group's decision.  

Medora Uppal, YWCA Hamilton's CEO, said she feels the change is unfortunate. "We had fostered a really positive relationship with the group over the years so it was disappointing," she said. 

Uppal told CBC Hamilton that Project First to Respond emailed the YWCA to share their decision shortly after the March 7 gala, specifically expressing their displeasure with the speech of Jelena Vermilion, a community activist and the executive director of the Sex Workers Action Program (SWAP) Hamilton. 

Vermilion was among five women honoured that night "for their exceptional achievements." At the event at the Hamilton Convention Centre, 50 nominees were also celebrated.

In her acceptance speech, Vermilion said she was proud to represent other sex workers, trans people and people who had experienced police violence. 

"My life is valuable regardless of the work I do, regardless of the work that any of you do, except for maybe policing because that's my personal opinion," Vermilion said on stage. 

Vermilion also acknowledged Chevranna Abdi, who died in 2003 during an arrest in Hamilton. An inquest ruled her death was the result of drug poisoning. 

Speaking to CBC Hamilton on Tuesday, Vermilion said the committee's decision in the wake of the gala is "disgusting."   

"What f--king bullies. They are going to punish all of the people and service users … because a civilian had an opinion that they didn't like," she said.