Pride Corner on Whyte Ave Legal Fund

We are calling on the community to rally behind Pride Corner Organizer, Claire Pearen, as they prepare to confront yet another restraining order in court on June 12, 2023. For the past eight months, Pride Corner has been relentlessly targeted by individuals associated with the preachers in Edmonton, aiming to suppress their inclusive and empowering movement. Despite overcoming two previous restraining orders, this latest challenge underscores the unwavering determination of Pride Corner to uphold their rights and maintain their impactful presence.

Pride Corner stands tall as a symbol of resistance, fearlessly challenging the religiously motivated harassment endured by the general public and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Edmonton. Over the course of ten years, these street preachers have subjected innocent bystanders and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals to relentless harassment on Whyte Ave and Downtown, using religion as a cloak for their actions.

"Our mission is clear," declares Erica Posteraro, a dedicated Pride Corner Organizer. "Pride Corner exists because we are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that all Edmontonians can walk our streets without fear of religious persecution or condemnation. The street preachers create an atmosphere of judgment and insecurity, but we strive to infuse these intersections with joy and positivity to counteract their impact. They have witnessed the profound effectiveness of our work over the past two years, which has led them to resort to legal means to hinder our progress. These repetitive restraining orders not only deplete our time and resources but also inflict significant mental strain. Nevertheless, we firmly believe in our right to peacefully protest, and we will continue to fight tirelessly for the rights and well-being of our 2SLGBTQ+ community members."

Pride Corner is seeking financial assistance to cover their legal expenses. We understand the significance of this cause and the impact it has on our community. Your generous contributions to the official Pride Corner Legal Fund will help safeguard their ability to continue fighting for justice and equality.

To ensure the strongest legal representation, Pride Corner has engaged the expertise of Avnish Nanda, a renowned lawyer at Nanda and Company. With an extensive background in human rights law and a steadfast commitment to justice, Avnish Nanda has been instrumental in guiding Pride Corner through previously dismissed restraining orders. Your contributions to the legal fund will directly support the invaluable services provided by Avnish Nanda and his team at Nanda and Company. To learn more about Avnish Nanda and his dedication to upholding human rights, please visit their official website: https://www.nandalaw.ca. Together, with Avnish and his team, we will continue to challenge and overcome the legal barriers that hinder our pursuit of a more inclusive and accepting society.

We invite all those who share our values to stand with Pride Corner. Join us every Friday from 4:30-8:30pm at the intersection of 104 Street and Whyte Ave, where we gather to uplift and advocate for inclusivity. Your presence and support will make a meaningful difference.

Together, we can ensure that Edmonton remains a place where all individuals can embrace their authentic selves without fear or discrimination. Join us in creating a future of inclusivity and acceptance. Stand with Pride Corner today.