Jordan Peterson event at Centre in the Square draws sellout crowd, demonstration outside
There was both a sellout crowd inside and a demonstration outside of the Centre in the Square Wednesday evening for speaker Jordan Peterson.
The controversial psychologist and former University of Toronto professor turned internet celebrity was scheduled to speak at the publicly funded Kitchener venue for weeks.
In that time, there were numerous calls from community groups to cancel the event.
"His opinions have normalized inciting harm upon racialized individuals, queer individuals, and trans-identifying individuals," said demonstrator Aashay Dalvi.
A group of 20 greeted people attending the speech and called their demonstration outside the square a "rally against hate."
Police officers were also present to ensure public safety at what turned out to be a peaceful event.
"There are people that are harmed by the ideas that Jordan Peterson shares," said demonstrator William Turman. "What he is saying and the ideas he is spreading are not neutral and there are victims. There are people who don't think what he's saying is healthy or beneficial to everyone in the community."
Ground Up Waterloo Region and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region are among the community groups supporting the protest.
Both released statements condemning the City of Kitchener and the public funded venue for hosting Peterson.
"The Centre in the Square recognizes that the world of arts and culture is as rich and varied as the complexity of our community," a spokesperson for the venue wrote in an email to CTV News. "As a venue, the Centre in the Square does not endorse the content of its presentations, or does it police artistic expression or speech by performers, so long as it is within the bounds of the law."
The Kitchener lecture is one of several stops for Jordan Peterson.
The author, podcaster, and former professor gained international attention for his views on free speech, political correctness, and gender identity.
Peterson's media contact did not respond to CTV News' request for comment. CTV also approached multiple people attending the event who all declined an on camera interview.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
South Africa marked 30 years since the end of apartheid and the birth of its democracy with a ceremony in the capital Saturday that included a 21-gun salute and the waving of the nation's multicolored flag.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.