Voices of the Nations (VON) is a non-profit Christian group whose desire is to promote unity among various Christian groups, organizations, and multi denominational churches through fine arts and music. Their goal is to bring various denominations and cultures together to embrace and celebrate diversity between each other.
Since 2006, VON has been hosting Toronto's number 1 multicultural Christian music festival in Dundas Square (located in downtown Toronto) to promote unity and praise the name of Jesus. This past August Dundas Square saw 19 different performance acts on their stage and attracted 1000s of various people groups to partake in the Christian music festival.
Unfortunately this October when VONs event coordinator contacted Dundas Square to book the stage for their 2016 festival their permit was rejected and they were told they would have to find another location to hold their event. Dundas Square's manager of events has stated that the Christian music festival is proselytizing the public by praising the name of Jesus and mentioning names like God, Jehovah etc.
See full article below:
Toronto Bans Music Festival from City Square over Christian Songs
This is an example of discrimination against Christianity in our nation and transgresses two fundamental freedom categories within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms including, 'freedom of conscience and religion' as well as 'freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression'.
Please join us in taking action.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. SHARE: Share this important information with your friends and family on your social media networks so that they can take action on this issue as well. Click here for an online version for you to share.
2. EMAIL: We strongly encourage you to email the Mayor of Toronto and all Toronto city councillors about this issue. Let them know that you are strongly concerned that this is an infringement on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and ask them to stand for freedom of religion and expression. Ask them to allow Voices of the Nation to host their Multicultural Christian Music Festival in Dundas Square.
Mayor John Tory's E-mail Is: mayor_tory@toronto.ca
Mayor John Tory's Phone Is: 416-397-CITY (2489)
For a list of all Toronto City Councillors email addresses please scroll to the very end of this e-mail.
To find out who your city councillor is, click here.
3. SIGN: LifeSiteNews has begun a petition that has over 22,000 signatures already asking the city of Toronto to revoke its decision. Add your name to the petition by clicking here.
4. PRAY: Please join with us in praying for Voices of the Nations and for this decision made by the City of Toronto to be revoked.
