Frances Widdowson, the author of Grave Error, a book disputing accounts of unmarked graves at Residential School sites, had been arrested for trespassing on the grounds of the University of Victoria yesterday, as she and members of the OneBC party had attempted to stage an unsanctioned speaking event on campus without the University’s permission.
OneBC party leader Dallas Brodie, along with former educator and past OneBC candidate Jim McMurtry, were also on University grounds for what they called a discussion on free speech.
Video of the incident show the Saanich Police escorting the group away, while a student led protest against the trio’s presence on campus saw many Indigenous people, alongside their allies, encircle the MacPherson Library’s Residential School Survivors flag while wearing orange shirts. Student organizers called it a stand against Residential School denialism, and the ongoing disrespect and disregard shown to Residential School Survivors.
The University of Victoria has stated that the speaking event was unsanctioned, and that it’s organizers did not go through proper channels to book it. In a statement referring to the subject matter, University of Victoria’s Acting President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robina Thomas, reiterated that the University is committed to upholding it’s pledge to respect the rights of all, adding: ‘We honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities’.
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