Close X
Thursday, November 7, 2024
ADVT 
National

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman Invites Donald Trump To City To Learn 'Compassion And Tolerance'

The Canadian Press, 11 Dec, 2015 10:46 AM
    WINNIPEG — Petitions are circulating in some countries to ban Donald Trump.
     
    Some mayors in the United States are joking about banning him themselves.
     
    But Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman is ready to welcome the controversial Republican presidential hopeful.
     
    Bowman released a letter to Trump on Thursday — International Human Rights Day —  that urges him to visit the Manitoba capital and specifically its Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
     
    "Mr. Trump, it is my hope that in visiting our city and, in particular, our museum, you might develop a more profound sense of compassion and tolerance for others," Bowman wrote.
     
    "My invitation comes ... in light of the recent traumatic events in Paris and around the world, and in response to your political and personal reaction to them."
     
    Trump suggested this week that all Muslims should be banned from entering the United States "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."
     
    His remarks prompted fury around the world. The White House said his comments disqualify him from being president. Others both joked about, and seriously pondered, shunning Trump. 
     
    Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said if he had the power, "the only banning that would be done is that I would ban (Trump) from Philadelphia."
     
     
    Rick Kriseman, the mayor of St. Petersburg, Fla., tweeted: "I am hereby barring Donald Trump from entering St. Petersburg until we fully understand the dangerous threat posed by all Trumps." He later explained he was "answering ridiculousness with ridiculousness."
     
    Bowman wrote that while "you fight to close doors on foreign Muslims in the United States, Canada is preparing to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees."
     
    "I believe the reason for our tolerance, acceptance and desire to help comes from a deep understanding of other cultures," said Bowman, who came under scrutiny earlier this year after Winnipeg was labelled "the most racist city in Canada" for its treatment of indigenous people. 
     
    "We embrace and celebrate our multiculturalism and we understand that in diversity there is strength."
     
    While a few applauded the invitation on social media, it was criticized by others who felt it downplayed the seriousness of Trump's bigotry.
     
    "For some crazy reason, the letter doesn't make it clear that Trump is a virulent racist who invokes the language of the Holocaust," tweeted lawyer Corey Shefman, who added it was "a misguided publicity stunt."
     
    "How would having him in Winnipeg make our city's Muslim community feel?"
     
     
    Another called the invitation deplorable. 
     
    "@realDonaldTrump has no place in our city or our politics," tweeted Thomas Linner. "Please reconsider and rescind this invitation."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Indo-Canadian Wrestler Arjun Gill Wins Chance To Feature In Rio Olympics

    Indo-Canadian Wrestler Arjun Gill Wins Chance To Feature In Rio Olympics
    At the young age of 22, Arjun Gill has proven himself to be a fantastic wrestler, winning gold in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games 2014 held in Glasgow, Scotland.

    Indo-Canadian Wrestler Arjun Gill Wins Chance To Feature In Rio Olympics

    Two Montreal Men Die After Third-Floor Balcony Railing Gives Way

    Two Montreal Men Die After Third-Floor Balcony Railing Gives Way
    MONTREAL — Two Montreal men are dead and another is in critical condition after the railing of a third-floor apartment balcony gave way early Sunday morning.

    Two Montreal Men Die After Third-Floor Balcony Railing Gives Way

    Catherine McKenna Named As One Of 14 Facilitators Of Paris Climate Conference

    Catherine McKenna Named As One Of 14 Facilitators Of Paris Climate Conference
    The group was created to assist French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius, the conference's president.

    Catherine McKenna Named As One Of 14 Facilitators Of Paris Climate Conference

    Delta Police Warn Of Possible Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine After Overdoses

    Delta Police Warn Of Possible Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine After Overdoses
    DELTA, B.C. — Delta Police say two people have been treated in hospital after using cocaine and inadvertently overdosing on fentanyl.

    Delta Police Warn Of Possible Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine After Overdoses

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters
    VANCOUVER — Researchers say a new calf has been born into an endangered orca population off British Columbia's coast.

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers
    Abukar fled Somalia and lived in Egypt as a refugee before arriving in Canada in 2011. He lived in Ontario before moving to Saskatoon in the winter of 2013.

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers