Winnipeggers may still be able to visit the Ten Commandments monument in a publicly accessible space after all.
On Tuesday, council’s executive policy committee unanimously rejected a call to return the monument to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, which donated it to the city in 1965. It was then placed at Assiniboine Park.
Instead, the city’s chief administrative officer will work with the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and other groups to determine where the monument could be placed, if council gives the plan final approval. That could include a spot in Assiniboine Park, another public space or a privately owned space with public access.
CITY OF WINNIPEG
The Ten Commandments commemorative monument was donated to the city in 1965.
Prior to the vote, Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters he was open to the monument remaining in a public space.
“I’m really hopeful, and aiming, that we can find a way that is perhaps a compromise in some way that can accommodate as many people as possible… We need to aim to understand and reflect and honour the diversity… of our community,” said Gillingham.
A former pastor, the mayor said he personally doesn’t find anything offensive about the monument, while adding “others may have a different view and I respect that.”
The conservancy put the monument in storage in 2017, during the construction of The Leaf. The conservancy later chose not to reinstall the monument, over concerns it might make the park feel less welcoming to some community members.
However, several delegates urged EPC members not to remove public access to the monument during a Tuesday meeting.
“I just want to encourage you, in your service to this community, (to) let everybody be at the table and those of us from a Judeo-Christian background really want to encourage that pluralism be exercised in this issue,” said Bruce Martin, a retired pastor. “Diversity means everybody gets included, including Judeo-Christian (people) and the Ten Commandments.”
More than 1,200 people signed a petition to have the monument return to Assiniboine Park, organizer Ed Hume said.
The Ten Commandments are the “the oldest set of universal values in the world,” with many religious and secular groups supporting its message, said Hume.
“What kind of future are we passing on to our children and our grandchildren when we remove public monuments that contribute towards… rich cultural diversity?” said Hume.
He suggested the monument’s removal would offend Jewish, Christian and Muslim believers, promoting division among citizens.
In a written statement, the conservancy said it is ready to work on a solution.
“We are prepared to work with all parties to find a permanent home for the monument. In the meantime, we will continue to ensure its safe and secure storage,” the statement said.
Council will cast the final vote on the matter on Sept. 26.
joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca
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Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
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