Thread by @j_mcelroy

If it's Monday, it's a council night, and if it's a council night, that means...

We are LIVE at Richmond city hall, where council has an agenda that is 1,116 pages long: richmond.ca/agendafiles/Re…

But first, we begin with adorable children taking part in photo ops.

There are lots of people here to speak about a proposed permanent rainbow crosswalk in Richmond.

"Can a Muslim paint their Allah on the crosswalk?" says one person in opposition.

At the end of her speech, around 25 people cheer.

Mayor Brodie reprimands people for cheering.

The rainbow crosswalk was approved in a committee vote last week, but hasn't passed yet, contrary to this story: dailyhive.com/vancouver/rich…

But it passed with just one vote in opposition (Chak Au), so it's likely to officially go ahead tonight.

First though, public comments.

Another speaker comes up to speak against a permanent rainbow crosswalk in Richmond.

She argues "the crossing may cause confusion that it is only for the LGBT community, and not for the general public."

She also says it could cause distractions for drivers.

Um....no.

Another speaker seemed to imply council endorsing a rainbow crosswalk would turn a blind eye to pornography. The current speaker says a crosswalk would show favouritism.

Honest question: would you like me to continue to recap what people against the crosswalk are saying?

A new speaker says:

- The LGBT community "are already wealthy and powerful"
- $15,000 is lots to spend on a crosswalk because there are homeless people
- The speaker gets uncomfortable when homeless people sleep next to ATMs?
- Richmond should spend to help those people instead

After seven speakers against the rainbow crosswalk, we have a local teacher, who has a queer daughter, speaking in favour.

Says it's about safety, mentions LGBT youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide.

"These kids are our most vulnerable."

The teacher in favour of Richmond getting a permanent rainbow crosswalk lists off a whole bunch of B.C. communities that already have one.

When she gets to Abbotsford, she repeats with emphasis "yes, Abbotsford!"

Some councillors visibly struggle to refrain from chuckling.

A new speaker against the crosswalk is up. Says she doesn't know what she'll say to her kids if they ask "why isn't the crosswalk black and white anymore"?

Says "my mind is simple", because she doesn't understand why council wouldn't engage in more consultation.

Another speaker against the rainbow crosswalk says the following:

"If ... anything should happen, and some driver or victim sues the city because of their distracted driving, then I wonder, is our city hall accountable to take full responsibility for this?"

boy oh boy

The same speaker against the Richmond rainbow crosswalk compares the situation to the recent protests in Hong Kong, and says the two are similar because the opposition stems from a lack of consultation.

sure okay let's go with that

Virtually everyone speaking against a rainbow crosswalk in Richmond is complaining about a lack of consultation.

People are making comments in front of council because this was first announced a week ago.

Council will only vote after hearing from all of them.

Just saying.

We have a speaker in favour of the crosswalk, a university professor.

"I’m constantly referring young LGBTQ students to counselling because their families oppressed them."

"It's the city’s ethical and political responsibility to accept LGBTQ people into this community."

We have another person against the crosswalk. Says 1,300 people signed a petition against the crosswalk.

Says if they approve a rainbow crosswalk, "the city may face the challenge of how to react to different group requests."

Like, yes. That's literally their job every week.

That speaker also says if a rainbow crosswalk is approved, then Jewish people might want a Star of David crosswalk, or Indigenous people might want a totem crosswalk.

How....how would that work. Like the shape of a crosswalk is you know what never mind

A new speaker against the rainbow crosswalk says immigrants won't know what a rainbow crosswalk is and would be confused.

He also says he knows gay people that "just want a peaceful life."

It's at this point Mayor Malcolm Brodie interrupts, and says "Sir, you're out of time."

A younger speaker is up, in favour of the crosswalk.

Says being young and out in Richmond can be complicated, varies from school to school.

Says a rainbow crosswalk would show support.

"Yes, they’re very out there and very bold, but that is the point."

if you are looking for something very different from this thread there is this

https://twitter.com/cbcnewsbc/status/1143361704442466305

"I have three minutes left to speak," says one person against the crosswalk.

"You have two," says Mayor Brodie.

A minute later:

"I have two minutes left to speak."

"You have one," replies the mayor.

There is rare laughter.

Note: I'm slowing down my tweets on the Richmond rainbow crosswalk because I hit my head against a wall and now I'm woozy.

It's because we're hearing a lot of the same points about "respect for taxpayers" and "not favouring any specific group", and I don't want to spam folks.

Another speaker against the crosswalk says "let's talk about this 6-colour symbol."

"It is not a 7-colour rainbow. I refuse to refer to this symbol as a rainbow. It is always bugging me why this rainbow is only 6 colours."

Says 7 colours "would include everybody."

Note: sherlock holmes did not explain why a seven colour rainbow would include everybody

We have come to an end of the speakers on a permanent rainbow crosswalk for Richmond.

Council will vote on this later tonight. Seems most of the people who spoke will stick around for that debate.

There's been a few interesting things in Richmond council the last hour!

Debates on conflicts of interests, lobbying registries, climate change letters and much more.

But a) I'm writing a different story for tomorrow, b) the discourse somehow pales after public comments.

Richmond council is now debating the permanent rainbow crosswalk.

Councillor Carol Day says she was "very impressed with all the speakers that came forward."

But says "in Canada, human rights are a priority ... we are inclusive."

Says Richmond says yes to lots of things.

Councillor Harold Steves says "we are a city that supports people who are different."

Says "people belong here, and discrimination against the LGBTQ community is against the law."

Points out the money Richmond has spent to celebrate Chinese and Japanese communities.

Councillor Linda McPhail says "I know there were diverse views, and that’s fine, that’s good."

Points out Vancouver has long been a leader on pride issues, and so should Richmond.

Councillor Kelly Greene asks staff if there's any evidence that rainbow crosswalks are more dangerous than regular crosswalks, as several speakers worried about.

Staff say there's no data.

Greene, with tears in her eyes, says Richmond "must affirm we love all our neighbours."

Councillor Michael Wolfe says "we're not turning a whole street into Davie and Denman," and if people are so distressed by a rainbow crosswalk, they can move 30 feet to avoid it.

Says that as a high school teacher, he consoles students fearful of going home. Will support.

Councillor Chak Au congratulates people who came to speak, said they had courage.

Says this is an example of how "citizens of Richmond can have intelligent dialogue … but still be respectful and caring."

Argues that a consistent process is needed for debate.

Au, who voted against the crosswalk at the committee stage, and ran for the NDP last election, says he still has questions, including its location & source of funding.

Argues people who signed a petition "aren't against the motion" per se, but want an "enlightened discussion."

Coun. Bill McNulty says he served as a school counselor for decades and knows the issue well.

"It's about people. It's about our sons and our daughters. It’s not about symbolism. It’s about them."

Then dramatically says "I voted for an 80-foot Buddha!"

Ah, local politics.

Councillor Alexa Loo says she supports the crosswalk. Says kids need to feel safe and welcome in their communities.

Councillor Chak Au wants to put forward an amendment to refer back the crosswalk motion to committee for more consultation.

Nobody seconds him.

The motion to install a permanent rainbow crosswalk in Richmond passes 8-1.

Chak Au is the only councillor opposed.

i am still at council because i want to interview mayor brodie about a few things that happened tonight

but council is still going

someone send help

or at least some snacks and coca cola

Mayor Malcolm Brodie announces longtime communications head Ted Townsend is retiring soon, and this is his last council meeting.

First of all Brodie, way to bury the lead of this meeting.

Second, Townsend will be missed by reporters around the region. A pro's pro.

Back on the Canada Line and headed home.

Thanks to Mayor Brodie for sticking around after to answer my questions on a number of questions, hoarse voice and all.

And thanks to all of you who enjoyed(?) whatever those last five hours were.

I wrote about Richmond's debate on allowing a rainbow crosswalk, how the exact same debate was happening the same night in a neighbouring municipality, and how it's a reminder that societal changes don't happen in a smooth straight line: cbc.ca/news/canada/br…