HAPPENING NOW: Protesters, counter-protesters gather for rally against radical gender ideology

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Protesters for and against gender ideology being taught in Canadian schools are gathered in Ottawa today, with “Billboard Chris” Elston and teen activist Josh Alexander hosting a rally in the nation's capital.

Billed as the “Education Over Indoctrination” rally, Elston and Alexander are planning a march not far from the city's downtown core. In response, counter-protesters, which received support from the government-funded Canadian Anti-Hate Network, are hosting a counter-protest dubbed “Drown Out Hate”.

Rebel News is on the ground in Ottawa covering the events as they happen. Follow along for updates below.

Before both groups arrived, counter-protesters had written a number of messages on the sidewalk in chalk. “Trans kids are joy,” read one message. “No TERFs on my turf,” says another. The term “TERF” is an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, a derogatory term used by those on the far-left to insult women who are unsupportive of radical trans ideology.

SPOTTED IN OTTAWA: Messaging supportive of transgender kids is written on a sidewalk where a rally against woke ideologies being taught in schools is set to take place.

More to follow at https://t.co/bzWr7vGooS pic.twitter.com/WmR9ymmggF

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) June 9, 2023

A large group of counter-protesters, some wearing the popular all black attire of Antifa and carrying various rainbow flags, formed to block an intersection where Elston, Alexander and their supporters plan to march.

A large group of Antifa and other pro-trans counter-protesters are gathered in Ottawa in anticipation for the "Education Over Indoctrination" rally being held by Billboard Chris and Save Canada's Josh Alexander.

Full report coming soon: https://t.co/bzWr7vGooS pic.twitter.com/G8F0xFpxD1

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) June 9, 2023

In footage captured by the Counter Signal, Muslim parents can be seen standing behind children stomping on miniature Progress Pride flags.

"LEAVE OUR KIDS ALONE" - Muslims and Christians unite on the streets of Ottawa, trampling the Gender Ideology Flag. This is a turning point. Let kids be kids. pic.twitter.com/ATvXfzMPao

— Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) June 9, 2023

The scene when young activist Josh Alexander and his Save Canada group arrived was chaotic, with Ottawa police officers acting as a buffer between the groups.

Rebel News also caught footage of one black-clad demonstrator being detained by Ottawa police, who themselves announced five arrests at the rally so far.

BREAKING: An Antifa counter-protester has been detained by police at the Billboard Chris/Josh Alexander "Education Over Indoctrination" in Ottawa.

Developing story: https://t.co/RN0lpG5NWb pic.twitter.com/T9P4wPvdjQ

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) June 9, 2023

Demonstration update: five people have been arrested.

During any assembly, unlawful behaviour will be addressed promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of participants and members of the public.

Police presence at demonstrations is intended to promote public safety and is…

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) June 9, 2023

True North contributor Rupa Subramanya spoke to a pair of Muslim women at the demonstration, who told her they came to the protest because “they're against this whole thing that is going on in school. They're teaching our children that a guy with a guy is OK, that a girl with a girl is OK. It's not about religion anymore, it's about our kids now. Our kids are learning stuff they're not supposed to be learning at this age,” she said.

BREAKING: An Antifa counter-protester has been detained by police at the Billboard Chris/Josh Alexander "Education Over Indoctrination" in Ottawa.

Developing story: https://t.co/RN0lpG5NWb pic.twitter.com/T9P4wPvdjQ

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) June 9, 2023

Jordan Peterson weighed in on the demonstration, describing crowd supportive of masking and radical gender education as “malignant narcissism” and “virtue-signalling (totalitarians).”

Malignant narcissism is the reason. Virtue-signalling totalitarianism. https://t.co/9PGbPFm9yL

— Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) June 9, 2023

Demonstrating why Rebel News crowdfunds security to cover these protests safely, True North's Harrison Faulkner was surrounded by Antifa counter-protesters.

ANTIFA swarm Harrison Faulkner pic.twitter.com/kSsoaZKyrK

— The Pleb 🇨🇦 Reporter (@truckdriverpleb) June 9, 2023

One of the event's featured attendees, “Billboard Chris” managed to slip past the blockading counter-protesters. Responding to one of the chalk messages written in advance, on the driveway of a home flying a Pride flag, the activist remarked: “(Children are) threatened by exposure to a chemical castration drug and cross-sex hormones which leave them sterilized and they're threatened by surgeries on children which leave them mutilated for the rest of their life.”

He estimated about 300 counter-protesters and 70 police were at the event.

I snuck in behind the few hundred counter-protestors. pic.twitter.com/eTAtvGUrp1

— Billboard Chris 🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@BillboardChris) June 9, 2023

Fellow headliner Josh Alexander spoke with reporters covering the demonstration. Alexander said he planned to hand out Bibles near the school.

https://twitter.com/TPostMillennial/status/1667196868177317888

Stay tuned for a full-length report from the protest in the coming days, and, if you can, help keep our team safe by making a donation at JournalistDefenceFund.com.