Photo by Dillon Kydd on Unsplash
“Freedom” is one of the most cherished human values. Over the course of human history, and before, people have fought and died to preserve their conception of freedom.
“Freedom” has a broad meaning. It can mean national or tribal independence from outside control. It can mean freedom from oppression. Freedom to vote and take part in political processes. Freedom to speak one’s mind, to print and disseminate facts and opinion.
It also means freedom from being harassed and demeaned for being who we are as we go about our lives. To wear what we want to wear. To equal treatment regardless of skin colour or other characteristics.
We are now subjected to protesters and occupiers screaming “freedom!” as their rallying cry to force governments to cease all temporary public health measures designed to mitigate COVID-19.
The occupiers have co-opted a word, a symbol of a value, and applied it contrary to fact and logic.
It’s more than ironic: it’s a lie.
Freedom lost?
What freedoms have Canadians, or others, lost due to the COVID-19 restrictions?
Freedom to travel? No. The protesters literally drove across the second-largest country on earth, unopposed.
Freedom of speech and expression? Obviously not. We hear them. We don’t agree with them, but we sure hear them.
Freedom of choice? No. No one who did not want a vaccine was forced to get one.
Freedom of belief? Clearly, the protesters are free to believe whatever nonsense they choose. Even ideas that contradict reality and science.
Freedom of political association? No. We all saw the Nazi and Confederate flags flying. I see people flying Canadian flags upside-down. Mocking the country I live in.
“But what about freedom to cross the border?” I hear some people object. “The government won’t let us do that!”
Yes, it does allow you to do that. Canadian citizens and residents have the absolute right to enter Canada. You just need proof of citizenship or permanent residence, and vaccination. If you’re not vaccinated against COVID-19, you have to isolated for some time, for the protection of all other Canadians.
If you’re not vaccinated, you cannot enter the U.S.A. That was the decision of another sovereign country, acting within its right to set its own entry requirements.
Virtue co-opted
While the occupiers and blockaders scream “freedom,”, they inhibit the freedom of all.
Our freedom to cross the border. Our freedom to walk in our own community. Our freedom from harassment.
In Ottawa, occupiers scream racist, misogynist and homophobic slurs at passers-by in their own neighbourhoods. In Toronto, hospitals and clinics warn health care workers not to wear scrubs or uniforms for fear of their being harassed or assaulted.
Who is taking our freedom?