A group called the Coalition for Integrity in Academic Accolades held a protest outside the University of Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon.
Students and community members were voicing their concerns over the university awarding Public Safety Minister Vic Toews with an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree at the Autumn Convocation.
The peaceful protest highlighted Toews’ opposition to same-sex marriage and to the inclusion of sexuality as a protected category under hate speech laws, among other issues.
The protesters were eventually allowed inside the Duckworth Centre, but had to leave their signs outside.
A few students spoke out against the actions of the roughly 40 protesters, but there were no incidents.
Valedictorian Erin Larson expressed her displeasure with the decision during her speech to graduates, saying she was not proud to share the same stage with Toews.
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