Time to implement a ‘Democracy Aknowledgement’ at events
By Lethbridge Herald on September 20, 2025.
Editor,
Many of us are deeply troubled by the erosion of democratic values in our society.
The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk—a husband, father, and outspoken advocate for free speech—was not merely an attack on a man, but an assault on democracy itself. Kirk devoted his life to engaging young people in political dialogue. His murder, carried out in broad daylight on a university campus, sends a chilling message: violence is being normalized as a response to opposing viewpoints.
We have seen this trend intensify in recent years, with aggressive and hostile demonstrations—such as the massive pro-Palestinian protests—sweeping across Western universities. When institutions that are meant to foster dialogue instead tolerate intimidation, it signals cultural collapse.
Free speech is the cornerstone of democracy—non-negotiable! It was earned through the tremendous sacrifices of those who fought for our freedoms: to speak, to dissent, and to be heard. Every act of violence that silences free speech is a betrayal of our hard-won democracy. More than ever, it must be fortified.
Just as we have land acknowledgements, perhaps its’s time liberty was publicly acknowledged as well. Beginning every political event with a Democracy Acknowledgement would be a powerful reminder that civil dialogue—not intimidation or violence—is what sustains us. It would set the tone for respect, affirm that disagreements are settled with words not weapons, and remind both leaders and citizens that democracy survives only when free speech is defended.
One example might read: “Before we begin, let us affirm this truth: free speech is the cornerstone of democracy—a right earned through the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedoms to speak, to dissent, and to be heard. We therefore embrace civil dialogue at this and every gathering—always the pen, never the sword. Let us take a moment to honour those who gave their lives defending our right to speak freely, and commit ourselves to protecting all that democracy stands for.”
This is not rhetoric—it is a commitment to defend democracy, which is clearly under threat and in urgent need of fortifying. It’s time we realigned with its principles in our homes, schools, churches, and public life.
Rena Woss
Lethbridge
11-10
Hate speech is not freedom of speech.
There is a difference between freedom of expression and incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence.
In other words, freedom of speech is not just hearing what you want to hear, and supressing what you don’t.
In reality, freedom of speech cannot exist without freedom from consequences. We have been taught this at a young age.
Your example of pro-Palestine protests being bad is completely misguided. Such protests are a cornerstone of our democracy and the prototypical example of freedom of speech.
Best comment so far.
Indeed, Ms. Woss, there are many folks who are extremely concerned about the erosion of western democracy and the rise of authoritarianism in all of its ugly forms. In this regard, the following may be of assistance to enable the elimination of authoritarian fascistic drifts in today’s democracy.
SIGNS OF THE EROSION OF DEMOCRACY
1. Cult of Tradition / Glorious Past
Mythologizing a “golden age” that must be restored.
2. Rejection of Modernism / Liberalism
Framing pluralism, feminism, and democracy as decay or weakness.
3. Action for Action’s Sake
Valuing impulsive, dramatic gestures over deliberation or reason.
4. Disagreement = Treason
Branding dissenters as enemies of the nation.
5. Fear of Difference
Racism, xenophobia, homophobia — scapegoating outsiders.
6. Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class
Rallying downwardly mobile groups with nationalist anger.
7. Obsession with Conspiracy
Belief in shadowy plots undermining the nation.
8. Enemy as Both Weak and Strong
Opponents are portrayed as pathetic and existentially dangerous.
9. Pacifism = Treason
Denouncing peace as cowardice; glorifying war and military action.
10. Contempt for the Weak
Mocking or discarding the vulnerable and marginalized.
11. Cult of Heroism / Death
Turning violence, sacrifice, and martyrdom into sacred ideals.
12. Machismo
Exalting strength, virility, and domination (often misogynistic).
13. Selective Populism
Claiming only one leader speaks for “the people.”
14. Newspeak
Simplified slogans and repetitive catchphrases that shut down thought.
15. Disdain for Human Rights
Treating individual rights as expendable for the “greater good.”
16. Control of Media / Propaganda
Flooding the public sphere with lies, censorship, or state-aligned outlets.
17. Rigged Elections / Anti-Democracy
Undermining or abolishing free, fair elections to stay in power.
18. Fusion of Religion and Nationalism
Presenting the nation’s destiny as divinely ordained.
19. Glorification of Violence
Violence framed as cleansing, purifying, or patriotic.
20. Permanent State of Crisis
Maintaining constant fear: only the leader can avert catastrophe.
Together, these traits define fascism as a political style: authoritarian, nationalist, exclusionary, and anti-democratic.
What a foolish misguided letter . Free speech as long as it fits into your political beliefs. If you want to gauge if you have free speech , if you are constantly offended by what some people are saying , then we have free speech. Or you could follow our neighbour to the south , assassination of someone with extreme views you don’t agree with or government pressure to remove a TV show whose only transgression is to not agree with said government.. Both erodes democracy, if they even technically have that anymore .
Right on!
It may help to get out of the bubble of Rebel news. Much of their stuff seems to be through a warring Zionist vacuum. Look up how many conservative MPs our dual Israeli citizens. Which country do they serve?
Labelling people protesting against a genocide as “hostile” is beyond the pale. Seems to me if you are silent about the genocide in Gaza and the Westbank- you are complicit. Start in 1948, if you care to know. After all these years now I understand how the Nazis got away with it.
Just observe some of Kirk’s speeches yourself. Limit the Fox news/Trump/ Rebel news take on it- think for yourself. I try to seek various sources and challenge my positions on events.
And just where is this registry of MP’s who hold dual Canadian/Israeli citizenship’s? I can’t seem to find it anywhere…
Many of them have twitter accounts that spell that out. Also check out their websites.
Rebel news bubble?? Have you listen / watched “ mainstream news” ? Now they may not be a bubble, propaganda though, is a possibly.Actually a fact. CBC is a liberal funded entity to promote liberal ideaologies. Pro-Palestine is pro terrorist, pro hostage taking and abusing in unimaginable ways ,and actually not something you would want in your back yard if you would be honest and realistic.
CBC gets its funding from several sources , but primarily from annual grants from the federal government. So, it’s misleading, but not inaccurate to say “Llberal funded”, so is the RCMP and the Military also “Liberal funded” , therefore not to be trusted ? The other question I have, the CBC, RCMP and Military somehow existed during Conservative governments, so were they “Conservative funded” at the time?
As I was driving to work , it occurred to me that some of the roads I drive on were funded by the federal government, by your line of thinking, I should only trust roads paved when Harper was PM ??
Should I trust notice of assessments for my tax returns since Harper ??
(Actually , I might give you that one)
Yikes ! Conspiracies everywhere !!
Especially when it was Conservative Governments that created them. But as we all know if these fake conservatives don’t like what previous conservatives created it becomes a Liberal created problem that’s all these idiots know, and doing what their pal Trump says is their mandate.
Let’s say a road project was started in 2015 while we still had a Conservative gov’t. Plans made , material procured, contractors engaged . But construction didn’t actually occur until 2016 when the Liberals were in power … for argument sake, let’s say , because of timing, it was “Liberal funded”, do I trust that road ? Will driving on it somehow take my freedom away ??? So many questions .
These Reformers destroyed the plans for the Super Lab in Edmonton that would have helped save lives, along with a Hospital that is desperately needed that were approved by the NDP. They destroyed 24,000 jobs and a $33 billion investment for green energy that was encouraged by the NDP, that would have been a huge boost for Albertans but because Smith, a former oil industry spokesperson is only interested in protecting the oil industry and isn’t interested in the green energy international future that was destroyed. Because Trump has reopened Coal Mining in the U.S. and doesn’t care about the pollution it brings, along with the health issues, they took the protection off our mountains that Conservative Peter Lougheed put on them, all because these idiots don’t want to show any respect for any other governments of the past.
Their stupidity is costing us billions and has destroyed our children and grandchildren’s future and they don’t care, and the idiots who support them don’t either.