Veterans 'saddened' by use of Canadian flag by convoy protesters
CBC
The Canadian flag mounted to vehicles and draped over the shoulders of people participating in convoys and blockades is upsetting veterans in this country who say it has no place in this protest.
"I'm saddened to see the flag used for any agenda or political statement," said Randy Warden, a veteran living in London, Ont. who served with the Canadian military for six years.
"The flag represents far more than any one opinion. The Canadian flag represents this nation and its history," he said. "It represents all people. It does not represent any political stripe nor any political agenda."
On Friday, Ontario declared a state of emergency over ongoing demonstrations in Windsor, Ottawa and on Highway 402. An injunction was granted in the afternoon to dismantle the blockade at the Ambassador Bridge.
The Prime Minister also said that he had met with President Joe Biden to discuss ending the "illegal activity" that have hindered trade and shut down factories on both sides of the border.
At each demonstration, the Canadian flag has been highly visible, with some protest organizers, like those in London, telling participants to dress in red and white and to bring their flags.
The Royal Canadian Legion, headquartered in Ottawa, agrees the flag should not be used in demonstrations that pit people against each other.
"The iconic Canadian flag symbolizes hope, pride and peace and represents our country's unity and strength," they said in a statement Friday. "Its use as a symbol of protest is not its intended spirit."
Nelson Wiseman, a former University of Toronto political science professor, believes that the way the Canadian flag is being used by protesters is "a misuse of the flag."
"By wrapping yourself in the flag, you're trying to make it appear that you're in harmony with what other Canadians think, with what it means to be a Canadian," said Wiseman.
"That's a misuse of the flag because it doesn't reflect either the government's view or public opinion, or Canadian values," he added.
The word 'freedom' is also tightly intertwined with the messages relayed by protesters, who have named it the "Freedom Convoy", and routinely say they are defending their rights and freedoms.
"I think anyone who says they're fighting for freedom by way of this demonstration has no true appreciation of what freedom is," said Warden.
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