MPP punched in face at transgender protest? Or was cut from megaphone?
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Published Jun 12, 2023 • Last updated 2 days ago • 4 minute read
NDP MPP Joel Harden
NDP MPP Joel Harden in an image posted to Twitter with a cut on his face. PHOTO BY JOEL HARDEN /Twitter
This protest and counter-protest over transgender studies drew blood.
The question is, was an Ontario MPP punched in the face or did he accidentally cut himself with a megaphone?
It seems people on all sides experienced it differently. Those in favour of trans education in schools feel this was a hateful attack that illustrates the danger LGBTQ+ people are in, while opponents ask if this was Canada’s own ‘Jussie Smollett’ moment where an actor in Chicago falsely claimed to be attacked by two men wearing MAGA hats.
Meanwhile, the NDP MPP says while he was “punched” in the face at a protest Friday over transgender ideology and acceptance in schools, he does not want to bring police into it.
“I do not want this woman charged,” Ottawa-Centre MPP Harden tweeted Sunday.
“I would rather talk to her about why she needed to be violent, and why she needed to protest outside public schools. If she is reading this statement, that offer still holds. Please get in touch with me.”
While someone on Twitter responded saying, “I am that woman,” some seemed skeptical on whether the cut was a result of a punch or from an errant megaphone Harden was yelling “protect trans kids” into.
Certainly his original tweet of the alleged assault garnered much attention.
Responding to Luke LeBrun tweeting, “This is absolute madness. The far-right mob is not even at a school anymore, they’re just standing in the middle of a residential street in Westboro chanting nonsense in the direction of random homeowners to “leave our kids alone,” Harden shot back with “and punching people in the face. But I’ll take a punch for queer and trans youth any day.”
With those words Harden posted a picture of himself with the cut on his face – something that drew many replies of concern and sympathy including from the Ontario and federal NDP leaders.
“Hope you’re ok Joel. Hateful so-called rallies outside of our schools are becoming far too common – and it’s boiling over into violence,” tweeted Ontario leader Marit Styles. “It’s well past time to take urgent action and protect 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Thank you to everyone that showed up today to #ProtectTransKids.”
Her federal counterpart Jagmeet Singh wrote: “I’m proud of you @JoelHardenONDP. Queer and Trans people — and kids — are being targeted by angry and hateful extremists. Governments must step up to protect the queer and trans community.”
Harden, who has been in controversy before over strongly denounced comments he made about Israel, has not responded to requests from the Toronto Sun for comment but he did tell The Trillium publication which covers Queen’s Park that he was struck by a “sucker-punch” from a woman connected with the protest led by Chris Elston.
The Ottawa Sun was at the protest and reported Elston, known as Billboard Chris for expressing his concerns about transgender teachings around with the world, was wearing a billboard saying “children cannot consent to puberty blockers” at the event where people were wearing rainbow colours and showing signs expressing support for trans youth.
“She punched me once in the back and I stupidly looked over my shoulder to see where she was, and she rabbit punched me,” Harden told Trillium. “It is what it is, I’m totally fine anyway.”
But some on Twitter have posted video clips that offer angles that they suggest show the cut was not the result of a punch but from some protruding metal on the megaphone.
However Ottawa city Councillor Ariel Troster tweeted it was a “smack/punch that smashed the megaphone into Joel Hardens face” and “many other instigators of violence among the anti-trans crowd.”
Lawyer Paul Champ wrote on Twitter: “Video from another angle shows a protester strike the megaphone into his face.”
But on his Billboard Chris Twitter account, Elston wrote “Jussie Harden claims a woman punched him” and “which one of these two men is the woman?”
Dr. Jordan Peterson tweeted some media are “manufacturing a hate crime incident,” while media commentator Jonathan Kay said “falling for hoaxes” is what some politicians have done before.
But Harden on Twitter insists: “I looked over my shoulder and was punched” and “holding a megaphone against my face” the blow “glanced off” it and “my face was cut.”
It’s unclear if he and the woman have set a date to sort it out. Ottawa Police have not commented on this specific incident but in a news release said they made five arrests and are still investigating.
What needs to happen to prevent further escalation is both sides in such demonstrations must stay on opposite sides of the street so no one gets seriously hurt – either by accident or on purpose. As for the debate on how the MPP got hurt, it’s now in the hands of Ottawa Police.
jwarmington@postmedia.com
![FyNGjLaX0AE_Ce_-e1686583022508[1].jpg](https://forums.canadiancontent.net/data/attachments/16/16737-745bf7a044b8368888f3b192d2b4015d.jpg "FyNGjLaX0AE_Ce_-e1686583022508[1].jpg")
https://twitter.com/maritstiles/sta...transgender-protest-or-was-cut-from-megaphone
The question is was an Ontario MPP punched the in the face or accidently cut himself with a megaphone?
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