By Tyler Marr

Right to Life group disappointed as pro-life flag denied right to fly

May 12, 2017 | 11:21 AM

As Celebrate Life Week comes to a close, this would typically be the time local chapter members would head to city hall to lower their iconic flag.

However, that will not be the case this year, as the city of Prince Albert placed the Prince Albert Right to Life Association’s request to host their ‘please let me live’ anti-abortion flag over Memorial Square on hold.

The president of the Right to Life group, Dorothy Kawula, said they were “disappointed” when they learned through the media they couldn’t fly the flag of their choice.

Kawula said the city’s unwillingness to raise a flag that “presents the preciousness of life from conception to natural death” was discouraging.

“It is really disappointing and is absolutely bizarre,” Kawula said. “It is not a condemnation of anyone, it is just a reminder for us to protect those who are most vulnerable in society from the end to beginning of life.”

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City administrators have claimed since the flag is not consistent with any nationally or provincially approved flag, a unique exception could not be gifted to this group.

The Right to Life group tried to procure a similar flag flown in Ottawa, but were unable, resulting in the hold.

The imagery on the flag has drawn criticism, but Kawula said the fetus on the flag known as Umber the Unborn is a symbol of joy and hope.

“It is a good symbol and is not in your face,” the president said. “If you have read the cartoons, it provides a bit of joy. Humour can help our perspective and reach our hearts.”

Some have pegged the denial to hoist the flag as a knock at freedom of speech and expression. Kawula said this is not the overall purpose of the week. 

“That is unfortunate,” Kawula said. “Because the message is the preciousness of human life and the need for support for women who are in crisis pregnancy…and that message is getting lost.”

The president also highlighted a number of other controversial flags that have flown at city hall and why there hasn’t been a uniform response.

While the flag has been raised at city hall for roughly 30 years, Mayor Greg Dionne made note that “nothing is forever.”

“Times change. Social beliefs change. Society changes. Human rights change. Ten years ago you couldn’t fly the rainbow flag. You can fly it today,” he said.

When the flag request first come before council, Dionne said “If you don’t like it, don’t look at it. There’s lots of things I see in the world I don’t like and I just ignore it.”

When asked on this, Dionne said he held the same belief and added “even the new one, if you don’t like it, ignore it.”

“I haven’t changed my mind. The flag is on hold, they are going to design a new flag that is not as offensive and they are going to work to get it approved,” he said. “When they phoned me and said they could get me the flag that flies in Ottawa, I was so excited, because if it can fly in Ottawa, it can fly in Prince Albert. But for some reason that didn’t come to fruition and we are working on it.”

The issue surrounding the flying of an anti-abortion flag also recently caused a stir at Ottawa’s city hall, where councillors quickly called for its removal.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr