 
Animal Rights Group Denied Permit for Display Citing the City of Toronto's Display Policy and Declaration of Non-Discrimination, Yonge-Dundas Square recently refused to issue a display permit to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The display, which compared factory-farming practices to the Nazi Holocaust, was deemed to offend the provision prohibiting the exhibition of images that "exploited the bodies of men, women, boys or girls solely for the purpose of attracting attention." In addition, it was contended the display would contravene the prohibition on propagating "views and ideas which are likely to promote discrimination, contempt or hatred, ... on the basis of race, nation or ethnic origin." CCLA urged the Square to reconsider, arguing that it was "not fair to describe the showing of human bodies in the display as solely 'for the purpose of attracting attention'." And "to whatever extent it can be said that the proposed display promotes 'discrimination, hatred or contempt' of anyone, it would be for Nazis and factory farmers. Such constituencies do not qualify as a "race, a nation, or an ethnicity." Acknowledging that it is "troubled by the facile comparisons" that are often made to the Holocaust, CCLA said that this is insufficient reason to deny the requested permit. Despite the urging of the CCLA, the Square defended its decision. | CCLA In The Schools | Join Us | Feedback | Search | Other Interesting Sites | Home |
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