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
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
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.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.