Vancouver parents demand end to sexualized curriculum at 1 Million March 4 Children

Hundreds marched through the streets of downtown Vancouver on Wednesday in support of parents' rights. The protest was one of many 1 Million March 4 Children events that took place across Canada, all of which drew in huge crowds.

Demonstrators held signs and chanted as they made their way from Robson Square down to Jack Poole Plaza, calling for an end to overly sexualized content in classrooms and a return to a time where parents, not educators, decided what was best for their children.

While the event did not officially kick off until 1pm, people began filling Robson Square and the surrounding area hours earlier. By noon, the area was packed with parents' rights supporters and counter-protestors, each faction passionately advocating for their particular cause.

Before long, both sides moved down Robson Street towards Burrard.

"Leave our kids alone!" a diverse group of parents' rights demonstrators shouted as they moved down the sidewalk. Nearby, a young girl wearing a hijab handed out fliers outlining the "views on homosexuality in Abrahamic religions."

"Let boys be boys, let girls be girls!" a demonstrator at the front of the march chanted into a megaphone, as the crowd behind her cheered.

"We are not against you and your lifestyle, [but] it's not welcome in the classroom!" she continued, echoing the sentiments of many who took part in the event.

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Upon congregating at Jack Poole Plaza, the parents were met with counter-protestors, though the Vancouver Police Department did manage to maintain the peace.

Many of the messages shared by each side were barely audible over the deafening cries of the other, but some managed to break through the noise.

"Live the way you want to live, but leave our kids alone," one demonstrator said above chants of "No space for hate."

Antifa agitators tried to join in, but were prevented from getting too close to the crowd by members of the VPD.

In the lead-up to the event, politicians at every level of government labeled it "anti-LGBTQ," however, the vast majority of parents' rights demonstrators harbored no negative feelings towards members of that community, and sought only to have a say in what happened at their children's schools.