On Sept. 20, approximately 500 people gathered in downtown Kelowna for the 1 Million March For Children protesting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) education and resources in public schools.

There was a comparatively small group of counter-protesters as Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 queer advocacy groups issued a statement prior to the event suggesting that people stay away due to the risk of violence

Heather Lucier, a local pastor and march organizer explained the rally was really just about the narrow issue of 乌鸦传媒減arents maintaining and having a right to decide what their children are taught in school.乌鸦传媒�

However, counter-protesters and observers said that the rally seemed to be a facade for other, more nefarious and hate-filled messages.

Counter-protesters were witnessed being yelled at and called 乌鸦传媒済roomers,乌鸦传媒� while speeches called people offering gender-affirming care 乌鸦传媒渃hild abusers.乌鸦传媒�

Speeches were interspersed with chants of 乌鸦传媒淐anada has one flag,乌鸦传媒� being broadcast over megaphones.

Signs reading 乌鸦传媒淚f you truly understood the LGBTQ agenda you would march with us to protect God乌鸦传媒檚 children,乌鸦传媒� were held alongside signs that said 乌鸦传媒淪OGI is harming our children.乌鸦传媒�

Counter-protester Jenny Newell, who is a 2SLGBTQIA+ ally and a parent, said she witnessed aggression including physical shoving and hate speech.