Evan Owens / Edge columnist
The famous Gastown statue, Gassy Jack, was recently toppled on February 14th during the annual Women’s Memorial march in Vancouver, as hundreds watched on, cheering.
Symbolic of rising mob action in Canada, fed into by echo-chambers and polarization, this is only the latest example of a small, vocal, group of people dictating change. A worrying new precedent, where groups hoping to impose their world view on others, far exceed the the normal bounds of protest.
However, unlike other recent examples of mob action, the protestors’ toppling of Gassy Jack did not lead to a bad outcome; Gassy Jack deserved to be removed. The only problem was how that outcome was reached.
The Gassy Jack statue honored 19th century bar owner John Deighton, nicknamed Gassy Jack, who in 1870, married a 12-year-old Indigenous girl named Quahail-ya, according to Laura Sciarpelletti of the CBC news, in the article, “Indigenous activists say the story of Gassy Jack is missing sordid details.”
Today, as we strive towards reconciliation, the removal of a statue representing colonial oppression makes perfect sense.
It is only in the method of removal, mob action, where problems arise.
Impatience with the government, who had been in talks to remove the statue, and a feeling of self-righteousness meant that the protestors, acting as a mob, dangerously bypassed the democratic process, causing change, despite having no right to do so.
It is not the job of citizens to remove statues. Citizens have every right to voice their complaints, and to elect governments that make the changes they want, but they cannot impose themselves and force change as they as individuals cannot and do not represent the wants of the majority.
This is why we have elections. Elections prevent individuals and small unelected groups from making governmental decisions affecting others, on a federal, provincial, and in this case, a municipal level. The protestors disregarded this system.
Furthermore, individuals cannot be held accountable the same way elected officials can be in our democracy. Safeguards put in place to stop power abuse and ensure unity between the government and the public do not exist for individuals. This is concerning, as it meant the protestors’ actions went unchecked. A decision was made on behalf of the Vancouver population by those who did not represent them, and there was no process to ensure the change was wanted.
No matter their good intentions, the protestors’ actions contradicted democratic values, in the process, setting an unhealthy precedent that anyone can do what they want if they believe they are right.
In toppling the statue, the protestors also deprived the Squamish nation of the right to have a say in the decision that affects them most.
Quahail-ya was Squamish, with descendants still in the nation today. The nation had been in talks with the city of Vancouver to remove the statue in “a culturally safe and respectful process that would bring dignity and healing to all involved.” This did not happen, and the nation lost an opportunity for healing, reconciliation, and honoring their ancestor. As Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart said, “Today’s actions were dangerous, and undermines ongoing work with the Squamish to guide steps to reconciliation.”
For our democracy to function, everyone needs to respect and follow the democratic process. It may be slow, but it is fair, and best reflects the wants and needs of the majority. When people bypass it, and act because they think they know best, democracy is not properly executed. Gassy Jack should have been removed, but by the government after discussion and consultation, not by a mob of people.
Sources
Squamish Nation Comment
Vancouver’s Gassy Jack statue toppled during march honouring missing Indigenous women
Indigenous activists say the story of Gassy Jack is missing sordid details
The City of Vancouver’s response to the removal of the Gassy Jack statue:
