The local Pride event in Manitoba’s third-largest city was cancelled after threats were made from a far-right group…
Steinbach’s annual Pride festival was abruptly cancelled last weekend due to “untimely, urgent and unprecedented circumstances.” The organization made the day-of decision after a far-right group sent threats following the death of political activist Charlie Kirk. The RCMP are currently investigating the incident.
“Our number one priority at Steinbach Pride is to make sure that everybody that attends Steinbach Pride is safe, whether it would be safe from violence or safe from violent language, that all falls into the same category,” organizer Chris Plett said in a statement to CTV News.
The organization said an entertainer asked to withdraw from the festivities after receiving information regarding threats to disrupt the event. The details of the threats were not shared with the media. Plett was told the threat was in “retaliation” to Kirk’s death.
“We have so many children and we have so many families and we have some many people that come to the event and we couldn’t knowingly put people at risk,” Plett also told CTV News about the decision to cancel. The annual Steinbach Pride event has reportedly welcomed up to 800 people in the past.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with Steinbach Pride,” said the Manitoba Pride Alliance, a non-profit serving gender and sexually diverse people across the province. “This cancellation is not a reflection of any failure on their part. It is a reflection of the rising hate that threatens the safety and dignity of marginalized communities…”
What are leaders saying about the threats to Steinbach Pride?
On September 18, local outlet Steinbach Online shared comments from local officials reaffirming Steinbach is a safe and accepting place.
“Steinbach certainly is a welcoming and a diverse community. We have many different people in Steinbach, and I think this is one of the attractions of Steinbach — we continue to grow,” deputy mayor Michael Zwaagstra said. “We have many community events that happen throughout the year, and we certainly encourage people to gather.”
Steinbach’s Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kelvin Goertzen released a statement to his constituents as well. “There should not be threats or intimidation against any group in society that is peacefully demonstrating, gathering or in an assembly,” he said in part. “And of course that includes Steinbach Pride and all Pride events.”
Where is Steinbach, Manitoba?
Steinbach is just over 60 kilometres away from Winnipeg. It is Manitoba’s third largest city with almost 18,000 people according to the 2021 federal census. Its population grew over 11 per cent between the 2016 and 2021 census report.
The city was built by Mennonites, with 18 families originally settling in Steinbach in 1874. The city in recent years has been diversifying. “We have people that come here from other cities, other provinces, and even other countries, because Steinbach is a great place to be,” its deputy mayor said to Steinbach Online. The 2021 census noted 21 per cent of Steinbach’s population were immigrants largely from the Philippines, India and Nigeria.
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