In what world is it okay for a high school student to be arrested and charged for expressing religious beliefs?  In what world do we punish a student brave enough to stand against the establishment, protecting teenage girls?  In what world is it okay for a student to be denied an education because he voiced his beliefs?  It appears that world is Canada.  We’re speaking about the arrest of Grade 11 student, Josh Alexander, for standing up for his fellow students and his own religious beliefs at St Joseph’s Catholic High School in Renfrew, Ontario.

We have seen the erosion of basic decency and increased sexual exploitation of our children in schools across Canada.  The trustees seem to have forgotten that their role is to educate our children while offering a safe environment for learning.  It is not to punish students for protecting each other because the school boards fail to do so.

The blatant hypocrisy is staring us in the face. Yes, the biological male who identified as a female, and entered the change rooms based on this choice, is protected by the same human rights as Josh and others who speak in opposition. We can’t pick and choose whose rights we protect and who’s rights we ignore. If the school insists on protecting one, they must acknowledge all.

I remember a Canada where common sense ruled, and students could feel safe.  Sadly, this is no longer the case.  Students are exposed to teachers wearing prosthetic breasts, sexually explicit books in the libraries, and feeling threatened while trying to conduct the most basic of human functions.

If our youth are not free to voice their opinions, and defend their right to believe in whatever faith they choose, or none at all, what sort of Canada will they have as adults? It is our job to protect our kids.  If you feel Josh’s Charter Rights have been denied, please let the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board know.

Police On Guard stands with all who exercise their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly.