The chairs of the Regional Council Executive and the Affirming Committee offer to our Region and its communities the following strong concern about an upcoming extremist right wing Christian concert at the AB Legislature. Please read and share.

Dear Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith; Hon Marin Long (Minister of Infrastructure); Hon Rick Wilson (Minister of Mental Health and Addiction); and Naheed Nenshi (Leader of the Opposition):

On behalf of the Affirm Committee and the Executive of the Northern Spirit Region of the United Church of Canada, and all of those that we work to ensure experience full welcome and inclusion, we write to express our deep concern that far-right affiliated artist Sean Feucht has been granted permission to perform on our province’s legislature grounds. On public property that is funded by taxpayer dollars and belongs to the people of Alberta. On the eve of our annual Pride celebrations.

Feucht is an outspoken Christian Nationalist who regularly uses the recognized hate group The Proud Boys· as security for his events. During his events he openly shares his anti-abortion, racist and anti-2SLGBTQIA+ viewpoints on a public stage, rallying his supporters behind a cause that is not only harmful, but openly targets Albertans whose lives and identities are protected by our Canadian Charter of Rights, and Alberta’s own legislation.

The government has a responsibility to ensure that our public spaces are safe for all people and uphold the principles of inclusion. Providing a platform for someone who espouses hate should never be given consideration. Freedom of expression must not impinge of the rights of others. To suggest otherwise is to send a message to marginalized populations that discrimination is not only acceptable but supported by our government.

That this permit would not only be considered but also completed by government staff is deeply disappointment. We are hearing concern from our members and church leaders throughout the region that this decision is to actively make the choice to foment hate and raise the risk that violence and harm will be real outcomes of this reckless consideration. The continued failure to uphold the rights of our most vulnerable citizens highlights the flimsiness of our commitment to serve, protect and support all Albertans.

We request that Sean Feucht have his permit refused in accordance with the multiple Canadian cities that have already taken action on this matter.

If Feucht is allowed to perform, we fear that the resulting backlash will actively jeopardize the mental and physical health of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in this city, as well as all those targeted by the far right Christian Nationalist agenda. Should the performance be allowed to proceed, there is no doubt that there will be protests that push back against any message that rights, safety and belonging are only afforded to some.

On August 8, the of the 45th General Council United Church of Canada meeting offered an apology to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in an historic special livestreamed and in-person worship service in the heart of the City of Calgary. There, we were reminded that the call of Jesus is that we love one another. It is our great hope that we can count on you to do the right thing and refuse to approve the proposed permit application of Sean Feucht.

Regards,

Mickey Wilson, Chairperson, Northern Spirit Affirm Committee

Rev Leigh Sinclair, chairperson of the Northern Spirit Regional Council of the United Church of Canada.