PANFEST Pagan Festival Society supports everyone’s right to peacefully protest. However, several aspects of the “Freedom Convoy” and the associated movements are very concerning.

PANFEST has a mandate to promote inclusion and safety for all people. This requires that we unequivocally denounce white supremacy in all of its forms. This convoy has been organized by known white supremacists, and the presence of white supremacist symbols at these rallies is well documented*. Regardless of individuals’ points of view on vaccine mandates and public health measures, white supremacy must not be tolerated. Especially in this current global climate of rising right-wing extremism, we must all be vigilant. It is no longer sufficient to silently oppose these issues, it never was. We must actively stand up and engage in stating that this is wrong, this is racist, this is violent, this is not the way.

Further, it is our duty to call out the clear double standard evident in the response to this convoy and associated movements by the media, law enforcement, and some politicians. “Freedom Convoy” participants are being treated very differently than BIPOC people have been treated during their peaceful protests. The blatant disparity in treatment is a clear expression of systemic racism and is absolutely unacceptable. This is especially clear in the disproportionate police response and militarization surrounding Indigenous Land Defense**.

PANFEST extends its support to all those affected.

Blessed Be

* https://globalnews.ca/news/8543281/covid-trucker-convoy-organizers-hate/, https://www.antihate.ca/the_freedom_convoy_is_nothing_but_a_vehicle_for_the_far_right
** https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fairy-creek-arrests-tensions-rising-1.6146934, https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/year-in-review-2021-a-look-back-at-the-stories-out-of-northern-b-c/