I don't think they have no business in this.
I don't know but this guy looks like he could be part of the group Queers for Palestine?
Union leader Fred Hahn and CUPE have advertised they will hold a rally dubbed 'HANDS OFF IRAN' outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto
Full disclosure: I’ve been a member of a union. I’ve advised unions, for many years. I believe unions play a critical role in protecting workers and their families.
But what happens when a union loses its mind?
Because, make no mistake, the Ontario branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has. It has embraced madness.
Some background: Iran is considered to have the worst human rights record in the world, or close to it. Iran’s Islamist rulers murder, torture, imprison, dismember, rape and brutalize their own people, all the time.
Human Rights Watch – like all the other watchdogs – say that Iran is guilty of “excessive and lethal force, torture, sexual assault, and other serious abuses.” In Iran, a person can be eliminated for expressing opposition to the Iranian dictatorship. A woman can be killed for refusing to wear a hijab, a man for being a gay.
Which brings us back to CUPE, and their leader, Fred Hahn. This fact is relevant: Hahn is a gay man. He proudly describes himself as the “first openly gay president in CUPE.”
That’s good. That’s positive. That’s an achievement. So why would an openly gay man want to celebrate Iran? Because, on Sunday, that’s what Fred and CUPE intend to do.
On Sunday, Hahn and CUPE have advertised they are holding a rally in support of Iran outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto. “HANDS OFF IRAN,” the poster reads, with CUPE’s official logo affixed to the bottom.
Since Oct. 7, 2023 – when Hamas killed, wounded, raped or kidnapped thousands of Israelis and non-Israelis – Canada and the West have descended, ever-deeper, into a madhouse without walls. CUPE, public sector unions, academics, NGOs, charities and plenty of Gen Z and Millennials have moved from being anti-Israeli-government (which is fine) to antisemitic (which isn’t).
They have claimed to be concerned about the plight of Palestinians. That, perhaps, can be spun. But supporting the Iranian regime? That can’t be spun. That can’t be rationalized. That is indefensible.
What happens to gays and lesbians and trans people in Iran? Well, article 233 of the Islamic Penal Code in Iran defines sodomy. Article 234 dictates it is punishable by death. So, in 2022, two gay men, Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi, were convicted of “sexual intercourse between two men” and hanged in prison at the Northwestern Iranian city of Maragheh.
If Fred Hahn were to visit in Iran, and if he were to simply be himself – something that is valued, and normal, and protected by the constitutions of both Israel and Canada – he would almost certainly be arrested, imprisoned and (likely, because he is non-Muslim) hanged.
Which bring us back to the pro-Iran rally on Sunday. Why is CUPE Ontario supporting the number one violator of human rights in the world? Why?
Under the provisions of CUPE’s own constitution, it makes no sense. Section 8(c) is lengthy but worth quoting in full:
“CUPE Ontario stands unequivocally for equality and will oppose discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, class (economic status), colour, creed, disability, family status, genetic characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, language, marital status (including single status), national or ethnic origin, place of origin, political affiliation, race, record of offences, religion, sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding) or sexual orientation.”
That certainly seems to fully cover LGBTQ people, doesn’t it? But, in Iran – which CUPE Ontario now supports – that provision is a death sentence. In Iran, opposing discrimination in the way that CUPE Ontario has? It will get you killed.
It’s important to note, here, that CUPE Ontario has done something that is the polar opposite of what other CUPE branches have done. In 2022, CUPE Nova Scotia said it stands in solidarity with the uprising against “the autocratic and repressive Islamic Republic of Iran.” In 2020, CUPE Vancouver called for an investigation into Iran when it shot down Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752, killing 176 people.
CUPE’s national branch, meanwhile, has long called for “the Government of Iran to immediately and unconditionally free all jailed labour activists and political prisoners in the country, and put an end to the arrests and repression of labour activists.”
By endorsing Iran, CUPE Ontario, and Fred Hahn, have taken leave of their senses. They have abandoned decency and common sense. They have violated their own constitution, and they have shamed their union brothers and sisters, across Canada.
They need to be decertified. CUPE Ontario needs to start over, because – this time – they have gone too f—ing far.
torontosun.com
I don't know but this guy looks like he could be part of the group Queers for Palestine?
Union leader Fred Hahn and CUPE have advertised they will hold a rally dubbed 'HANDS OFF IRAN' outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto
Full disclosure: I’ve been a member of a union. I’ve advised unions, for many years. I believe unions play a critical role in protecting workers and their families.
But what happens when a union loses its mind?
Because, make no mistake, the Ontario branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has. It has embraced madness.
Some background: Iran is considered to have the worst human rights record in the world, or close to it. Iran’s Islamist rulers murder, torture, imprison, dismember, rape and brutalize their own people, all the time.
Human Rights Watch – like all the other watchdogs – say that Iran is guilty of “excessive and lethal force, torture, sexual assault, and other serious abuses.” In Iran, a person can be eliminated for expressing opposition to the Iranian dictatorship. A woman can be killed for refusing to wear a hijab, a man for being a gay.
Which brings us back to CUPE, and their leader, Fred Hahn. This fact is relevant: Hahn is a gay man. He proudly describes himself as the “first openly gay president in CUPE.”
That’s good. That’s positive. That’s an achievement. So why would an openly gay man want to celebrate Iran? Because, on Sunday, that’s what Fred and CUPE intend to do.
On Sunday, Hahn and CUPE have advertised they are holding a rally in support of Iran outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto. “HANDS OFF IRAN,” the poster reads, with CUPE’s official logo affixed to the bottom.
Since Oct. 7, 2023 – when Hamas killed, wounded, raped or kidnapped thousands of Israelis and non-Israelis – Canada and the West have descended, ever-deeper, into a madhouse without walls. CUPE, public sector unions, academics, NGOs, charities and plenty of Gen Z and Millennials have moved from being anti-Israeli-government (which is fine) to antisemitic (which isn’t).
They have claimed to be concerned about the plight of Palestinians. That, perhaps, can be spun. But supporting the Iranian regime? That can’t be spun. That can’t be rationalized. That is indefensible.
What happens to gays and lesbians and trans people in Iran? Well, article 233 of the Islamic Penal Code in Iran defines sodomy. Article 234 dictates it is punishable by death. So, in 2022, two gay men, Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi, were convicted of “sexual intercourse between two men” and hanged in prison at the Northwestern Iranian city of Maragheh.
If Fred Hahn were to visit in Iran, and if he were to simply be himself – something that is valued, and normal, and protected by the constitutions of both Israel and Canada – he would almost certainly be arrested, imprisoned and (likely, because he is non-Muslim) hanged.
Which bring us back to the pro-Iran rally on Sunday. Why is CUPE Ontario supporting the number one violator of human rights in the world? Why?
Under the provisions of CUPE’s own constitution, it makes no sense. Section 8(c) is lengthy but worth quoting in full:
“CUPE Ontario stands unequivocally for equality and will oppose discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, class (economic status), colour, creed, disability, family status, genetic characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, language, marital status (including single status), national or ethnic origin, place of origin, political affiliation, race, record of offences, religion, sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding) or sexual orientation.”
That certainly seems to fully cover LGBTQ people, doesn’t it? But, in Iran – which CUPE Ontario now supports – that provision is a death sentence. In Iran, opposing discrimination in the way that CUPE Ontario has? It will get you killed.
It’s important to note, here, that CUPE Ontario has done something that is the polar opposite of what other CUPE branches have done. In 2022, CUPE Nova Scotia said it stands in solidarity with the uprising against “the autocratic and repressive Islamic Republic of Iran.” In 2020, CUPE Vancouver called for an investigation into Iran when it shot down Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752, killing 176 people.
CUPE’s national branch, meanwhile, has long called for “the Government of Iran to immediately and unconditionally free all jailed labour activists and political prisoners in the country, and put an end to the arrests and repression of labour activists.”
By endorsing Iran, CUPE Ontario, and Fred Hahn, have taken leave of their senses. They have abandoned decency and common sense. They have violated their own constitution, and they have shamed their union brothers and sisters, across Canada.
They need to be decertified. CUPE Ontario needs to start over, because – this time – they have gone too f—ing far.
KINSELLA: CUPE Ontario embraces madness with sponsorship of pro-Iranian protest
I believe unions play a critical role in protecting workers and their families. But what happens when a union loses its mind?
torontosun.com
