Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / United Way British Columbia said it was not aware of any threats of violence that led to the cancellation of a story time event at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Elementary/Middle School in Chilliwack last week. Instead, it learned that protesters were planning a disruption to the event, leading them to make the difficult decision to cancel. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Event cancelled

United Way of B.C. says it wasn’t aware of any ‘threats of violence’ for story time event at Chilliwack school getting axed

May 6, 2024 | 12:42 PM

CHILLIWACK — Despite assertions by two people that threats of violence were among the reasons for a “Queer Storytime Adventures” event being canceled at a Chilliwack school last week, the United Way of British Columbia said it was not aware of any threats of violence.

According to a social media post from the Hi Neighbour Sardis Community Initiative by United Way, organizers behind the planned speaking appearance by author Stacey Chomiak said they became aware last weekend that a group of protesters planned to demonstrate at the front of Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Elementary/Middle School property in opposition to the event, originally scheduled for Sunday, May 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., leading to its cancellation on school property.

The event was being formally billed as “Embrace Your Rainbow – Queer Storytime Adventures for Kids and Families.”

“Following discussions with local representatives, including the RCMP, as well as United Way British Columbia leadership, it has been determined that the event cannot proceed as public safety cannot be ensured,” Hi Neighbour Sardis Community Initiative by United Way wrote on Facebook.

Chilliwack Board of Education member Teri Westerby wrote on social media that the decision to cancel the event arose “not out of choice, but necessity, due to the unacceptable threats of violence towards our event.” Westerby did not elaborate on social media about what the threats of violence specifically meant or what threats of violence occurred. Chomiak, the author, made a similar statement on Facebook that threats of violence contributed to the event’s demise.

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In response to the claims of “violence,” Fraser Valley Today specifically asked United Way B.C. what threats of violence prompted the event to be closed, and whether those involved bomb threats or threats to harm anyone.

A spokesperson for the United Way British Columbia says the cancellation stemmed more from planned protests, not threats of violence.

“United Way B.C. was not aware of any threats of violence, but as we learned protestors were planning a disruption we realized we could no longer ensure a positive experience for everyone involved and made the difficult decision to cancel,” said Dara Hill, United Way B.C. spokesperson. “Our vision is for healthy, caring, inclusive communities.”

Hill added that any comments made by people in their own personal social media feeds did not necessarily reflect the views of United Way B.C.

In response to a media inquiry asking whether there were any threats of violence connected to the event, a Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson told Fraser Valley Today in an email last week that she could not comment on the matter and could only confirm that police were aware of the speaking event.

Fraser Valley Today reached out to Shelley O’Brien, communications manager for the Chilliwack School District, seeking comment on the matter. O’Brien later directed FVT to contact the group behind the event, which in this case was Hi Neighbour Sardis Community Initiative by United Way.

“While the Chilliwack School District offers community rental space at many of our school sites, non-school events such as this one are fully organized and managed by the client renting the facility,” O’Brien wrote in an email to Fraser Valley Today. “Please feel free to reach out directly to the community organization and/or the individual who posted on social media for further information.”

Westerby, who was slated to be the event facilitator, said on social media that he was disheartened by the cancellation.

After learning that threats of violence were not the primary reason for the cancellation, Fraser Valley Today sought comment from Westerby and Chomiak on Friday, May 3 asking what threats of violence occurred that contributed to the event being cancelled. Neither one responded as of Monday afternoon, May 6.

Fraser Valley Today also reached out to the Hi Neighbour United Way group at 5:02 p.m. Thursday, May 2 seeking comment, and was referred to the United Way of B.C. for comment at 2:30 a.m. Friday morning, May 3.