https://www.chch.com/st-catharines-welcomes-holiday-displays-of-all-faiths-at-city-hall/
St. Catharines city council voted on Monday to welcome other faith groups to set up their own holiday displays at city hall. The change passed by just one vote and councillors had a wide variety of opinions.
Saleh Waziruddin, the chair of St. Catharines anti-racism advisory told council that religious displays of any kind don’t belong at city hall. He says while the gesture feels inclusive, it really isn’t.
“What about all the other faith communities who don’t actually have the people to respond? And then you’ve got the agnostics and the atheists, how are you going to represent them?” Waziruddin said.
“We need to include every faith, every cultural organization and if that means that we’re going to have a display on city hall on 365 days a year, then that’s what it’s going to mean,” Coun. Robin McPherson said.
Long-time city councillor Joe Kushner says he feels good about the decision, “by approving this, it would be a very positive signal to the community.”
Waziruddin adds that this isn’t a war against Christmas and that he doesn’t protest the presence of a Christmas tree or lights since they aren’t tied to religious symbols.
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