Council Rejects Proposed Graphic Images Bylaw

Friday, 15 December 2017 at 05:23

Woodstock City Council has heard a very passionate delegation from a local mother, who would like to have all posters with graphic images taken down in the Friendly City.

WOODSTOCK - The topic of graphic images in public places will be brought up to the higher levels of government, after Woodstock City Council heard a passionate delegation from a local mother.

Kate Leatherborrow would like to see legislation that bans disturbing images from being displayed in public places.

Her story began when she was driving past the Wilson and Dundas intersection with her children, and they spotted an anti-abortion poster from the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform.

"There was a large sign that had a graphic, gory picture of an aborted fetus. It was covered in blood and it was incredibly disturbing to myself and to my children. From there I just thought that this is a serious problem, if this is allowed and is it allowed so from there I just started doing some serious leg work."

She collected 224 signatures on a petition and sent it over to City Hall.

"I actually declined doing an online petition because I wanted to make sure that I knew exactly who was signing it and they knew that I was not after abortion or all pro-life groups."

Craig VanManen, a representative from Oxford Against Abortion also attended Thursday night's meeting.

"I just want to say first and foremost that I really appreciate the fact that Kate could state her opinion and that I would whole heartedly support democracy and I am glad that we can talk about these things. However, we also want to confirm that we do have a freedom of speech here in Woodstock and we will continue sharing our images, taking her points into consideration."

He adds the posters are not meant to target children, but to other people in the community in order to start an open discussion around abortion.

Council did not pass a bylaw because it would impact freedom of speech. They are however request the provincial and the national governments enact legislation that prevents extremely graphic, gruesome and disturbing images from being used on signs, advertising posters, banners, and other mediums as part of any campaign. Said legislation would shield these images from children and vulnerable parties.