I, Ashu M. G. Solo, filed the following:

1. Civil rights case against the City of Saskatoon (Mayor's Office) and Councillor Randy Donauer for prayer recitations at government organized events

2. Code of Conduct complaint against Mayor Don Atchison for potential online campaign advertising violations

3. Civil rights case against the City of Saskatoon (Saskatoon Transit Services) for promoting holidays from only one religion on city buses

4. Human rights complaint against the City of Saskatoon (Executive Committee) for retaliating against me by not reappointing me to the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee and not appointing me to another civic committee or board

5. Human rights complaint against the City of Saskatoon (City Solicitor’s Office) for retaliating against me by trying to deprive me of my right to directly communicate with members of City Council and by telling employees of other City of Saskatoon departments to not talk to me

6. Human rights complaint against the City of Saskatoon (Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Office) and City of Saskatoon (Living in Harmony Ad Hoc Subcommittee of Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee) for retaliating against me by not considering my submissions to the Living in Harmony Contest

This site contains my media releases, some case documents, emails to City Council, etc.

I don't waste my time arguing with opponents.

The backlash makes me much more determined to fight against bigotry and shows the need for these civil rights cases, so I'll be filing more civil rights cases. You ain't seen nothing yet.

Monday, April 30, 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY: National Pro-Secular Organization Joins Call to Remove Saskatoon Government Prayers: Centre for Inquiry Supports Human Rights Complaint if Necessary to Resolve Dispute


MEDIA ADVISORY

National Pro-Secular Organization Joins Call to Remove Saskatoon Government Prayers:
Centre for Inquiry Supports Human Rights Complaint if Necessary to Resolve Dispute

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - April 30, 2012) - The Centre for Inquiry joins Ashu M. G. Solo in calling on the City of Saskatoon to end the recitation of Christian prayers at official city events and supports his intention to file a complaint tomorrow (May 1) with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

"I was extremely offended by the inclusion of a Christian prayer, which makes non-Christians feel like second-class citizens," said Mr. Solo. The prayer by Councillor Donauer opened an event hosted by the office of Mayor Atchison that was meant to thank all volunteers on Saskatoon civic committees and boards, but had the opposite effect for non-Christians.

"We always prefer cooperative approaches to legal ones," said Justin Trottier, CFI's National Communications Director. "Unfortunately, the Mayor has failed to respond to us."

"While CFI will continue to work for a cooperative resolution with Council, we support Mr. Solo's intention to bring this to the Human Rights Commission," said Trottier. "The Commission may be a necessary arbiter of the competing interests in this case."

The inclusion of a Christian prayer at a taxpayer funded event violates the separation of religion and government and gives undue primacy to one religion.

Contact Information

Ashu M. G. Solo

Centre for Inquiry Canada
Justin Trottier
416-402-8856

Sunday, April 29, 2012

PARTIAL List of Media Coverage about Religious Discrimination and Bigotry by Atchison and Donauer as of Apr. 28, 2012

From: Ashu M. G. Solo
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2012 2:14 AM
To: Mayor's Office; Randy Donauer
Cc: 
Darren Hill; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois 
Subject: PARTIAL List of Media Coverage about Religious Discrimination and Bigotry by Atchison and Donauer as of Apr. 28, 2012

Don Atchison and Randy Donauer,

You both have an ongoing problem with violating the separation of religion and government.  This has resulted in many complaints in the past, but you continue to violate the separation of religion and government.  You won’t apologize or guarantee not to violate the separation of religion and government again.  Therefore, I will be filing a complaint against you with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.  This complaint will be sent to various media outlets too and this email is being blind copied to various media outlets.

Following is a list of my radio interviews as of Apr. 28, 2012 on my complaint against you, Don Atchison and Randy Donauer, for abusing your government offices to try to impose your religious beliefs on others who don’t share them:

Radio Interviews of Ashu M. G. Solo about Religious Discrimination and Bigotry by Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Ashu M. G. Solo interview by Chris Mangatal for News, News Talk 650 CKOM, Apr. 23, 2012

Ashu M. G. Solo on Arlene Bynon show, Talk Radio AM640, Apr. 23, 2012,
Summary:  http://www.640toronto.com/HostsandShows/ArleneBynon/Story.aspx?ID=1691708
Audio:  http://www.640toronto.com/HostsandShows/ArleneBynon/Audio.aspx

Ashu M. G. Solo on John Gormley Live, News Talk 650 CKOM, Apr. 24, 2012,
URL:  http://www.newstalk650.com/sites/default/files/JGL%20PRAYER.mp3

Ashu M. G. Solo on Jim Richards Show, Newstalk 1010, Apr. 24, 2012,
URL:  http://www.newstalk1010.com/Episodes.aspx?PID=1755
Ashu M. G. Solo on Charles Adler show, Apr. 24, 2012,

Ashu M. G. Solo and Justin Trottier on The Roy Green Show, Apr. 28, 2012,
Summary:  http://www.roygreenshow.com/2012/04/some-of-whats-on-todays-show-saturday-april-28.html
Audio:  not available yet


Following is a PARTIAL list of news articles as of Apr. 28, 2012 on my complaint against you, Don Atchison and Randy Donauer, for abusing your government offices to try to impose your religious beliefs on others who don’t share them:

PARTIAL List of News Articles about Religious Discrimination and Bigotry by Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Betty Ann Adam, "Christian prayer sparks complaint:  Citizen felt excluded by blessing," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 21, 2012,
URL:  http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/Christian+prayer+sparks+complaint/6496119/story.html

Pete Curtis and Tricia Flatley, "Complaint filed over recital of prayer before a civic dinner," 660News, Apr. 22, 2012,

Chris Mangatal, “Local offended by prayer at Saskatoon municipal event,” News Talk 650 CKOM, Apr. 23, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Grad dinner prayer draws controversy," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 23, 2012,

Joe, "Atheists not appreciated in Saskatoon," Canadian Atheist, Apr. 23, 2012,

Carol Thomson, "No Apology from Mayor," Saskatoonhomepage.ca, Apr. 24, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Volunteer who objected to prayer draws ire," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 26, 2012,

"Civic functions must be secular," Editorial, The StarPhoenix, Apr. 26, 2012,

Farzana Hassan, "A clash of religiosities," Toronto Sun, Apr. 26, 2012,


Following is a PARTIAL list of reprints of news articles as of Apr. 28, 2012 on my complaint against you, Don Atchison and Randy Donauer, for abusing your government offices to try to impose your religious beliefs on others who don’t share them.  Some of these articles are the same, but in different newspapers.  I list the same articles in different newspapers to show the extent of coverage on your religious discrimination and bigotry.

PARTIAL List of Reprints of News Articles about Religious Discrimination and Bigotry by Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Betty Ann Adam, "Christian prayer by Saskatoon councillor sparks complaint," Canada.com, Apr. 21, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Atheist Ashu Solo threatens human rights complaint after Saskatoon councillor’s dinner blessing," National Post, Apr. 21, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Prayer at city function prompts complaint," Times Colonist, Apr. 22, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Christian prayer by Saskatoon councillor sparks complaint," The Vancouver Sun, Apr. 22, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Christian prayer hard to swallow:  Atheist has blessing issue," The Province, Apr. 22, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Christian prayer by city councillor sparks complaint to Sask. Human Rights Commission:  Citizen felt excluded by blessing," The Province, Apr. 22, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Christian prayer by city councillor sparks complaint to Sask. Human Rights Commission:  Citizen felt excluded by blessing," Calgary Herald, Apr. 23, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Grad dinner prayer draws controversy," Canada.com, Apr. 23, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Grad-dinner prayer draws controversy," Leader-Post, Apr. 24, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Volunteer who objected to prayer draws ire," Canada.com, Apr. 26, 2012,

Betty Ann Adam, "Volunteer who objected to prayer draws ire," The Province, Apr. 26, 2012,

Farzana Hassan, "A clash of religiosities," The Muslim Times, Apr. 26, 2012,

Farzana Hassan, "We need clarity about religion in public space," London Free Press, Apr. 28, 2012,


Following is a PARTIAL list of letters to the editor as of Apr. 28, 2012 on my complaint against you, Don Atchison and Randy Donauer, for abusing your government offices to try to impose your religious beliefs on others who don’t share them:

PARTIAL List of Letters to the Editor about Religious Discrimination and Bigotry by Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Andrew Frank, "Respect Pluralism," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 25, 2012,

Nettie Lockhart, "Don't Blame," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 25, 2012,

Shannon Bendell, "Show maturity," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 27, 2012,

Susan Mak, "Balanced approach," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 27, 2012,

Colin Butler, "Mean spirit shown," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 27, 2012,


Following is my blog for the public record containing my emails to you as of Apr. 28, 2012 for my complaint against you, Don Atchison and Randy Donauer, for abusing your government offices to try to impose your religious beliefs on others who don’t share them:

Blog containing Ashu M. G. Solo’s emails to Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and City Council
URL:  http://atchison-discrimination.blogspot.ca/


Don Atchison and Randy Donauer, you should also both be ashamed of yourselves for not using your media interviews to publicly denounce your supporters who have threatened me, told me to go back where I came from, insulted my first name, insulted my race, insulted my ethnicity, insulted my atheist belief, etc.  Your supporters’ threats and vicious, nasty, evil, racist, and bigoted insults just show me that there is much more religious bigotry in Canada than I realized and make me much more determined to fight for freedom of religion, which also includes freedom from religion.

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Monday, April 23, 2012

Threats and Extreme Racism and Religious Bigotry from Supporters of Atchison and Donauer


From: Ashu M. G. Solo
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 11:22 PM
To: 
Mayor's Office; Randy Donauer 
Cc: 
Darren Hill; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois
Subject: Threats and Extreme Racism and Religious Bigotry from Supporters of Atchison and Donauer

Don Atchison and Randy Donauer,

There has been massive media coverage of your religious discrimination and bigotry.  Besides being numerous articles and blog postings about your religious discrimination and bigotry, your religious bigotry and discrimination has been widely covered on local and national radio programs.  I was discussing your religious bigotry and discrimination on the Arlene Bynon Show today and will be discussing your religious bigotry and discrimination on John Gormley Live tomorrow.  I can’t even keep up with the massive media coverage of your religious bigotry and discrimination.  Do a Google search if you haven’t seen it.

Over the weekend, I’ve been subject to threats and extreme racism and religious bigotry from your supporters.  Your supporters have threatened me with violence.  Your supporters have told me to go back where I came from.  I came from here.  I was born in the Saskatoon City Hospital.  Tell that to your supporters.  Your supporters have insulted my name.  Your supporters have followed Donauer’s lead about saying I’m the bigot for standing up against your religious bigotry and discrimination.  Your supporters have told me this is a Christian country.  Your supporters have called me many different profanities.  Your supporters have insulted the way I look.  Your supporters have insulted my race.  Your supporters have insulted my ethnicity.  Your supporters have insulted me for being atheist.  Shame on you and your supporters.  I have absolute proof of all of this and will show it to you in this email and the attachment.

Make no mistake about it that these are your supporters.  They’re supporting you and attacking me.  Both of you caused all of this by your religious bigotry and discrimination at a municipal event.  Donauer caused all of this by implying that I’m against freedom and tolerance of his right to bigotry and discrimination.  Both of you caused all of this by not even having the decency to apologize and say you were wrong when asked about it by a StarPhoenix reporter.  Both of you caused all of this by not even saying you wouldn’t violate the separation of religion and government again when asked about it by a StarPhoenix reporter.  You should be extremely ashamed of yourselves.

You should tell your supporters immediately to stop the racism and bigotry.  You should tell your supporters immediately that I’m not the one who is against freedom and tolerance, as Donauer clearly implied.  You should tell your supporters that immediately that I came from here, not a foreign country.  You should tell your supporters immediately that it isn’t decent to insult the way I look, insult my race, insult my name, insult my ethnicity, insult my atheist belief, etc.  Shame on you and your supporters.

Your supporters have threatened me, told me to go back where I came from, insulted my first name, insulted my race, insulted my ethnicity, insulted my atheist belief, etc.  Shame on you and your supporters.  It really shows what kind of disgraceful politicians you are that you would have such supporters. 

Let me make clear that your supporter’s threats, racism, and bigotry makes me much more determined to pursue my complaint.  There is much more religious bigotry than I realized in Canada and I need to fight against that.

Because of the extremely shameful behavior of you and your supporters, I have created a blog with my emails to you and City Council as well as the article by StarPhoenix reporter Betty Ann Adam:


I will keep improving and adding to this blog.  I will publicize this blog all over the Web.

All of my emails to you have been blind copied to various media outlets.  This email is blind copied to various media outlets too.

As for Don Atchison’s completely ridiculous suggestion of having a prayer for a different religion every year, author David Barrett has documented 10,000 different religions, 150 of which have one million or more followers:


Are you going to have 10,000 different prayers, Atchison?  Where are you going to find people to say all of these prayers?  Why not just let people pray on their own if they want to instead of having public prayers at government events?

Atchison claims he never thought about the prayer.  Wake up, Atchison.  Wake up.  There are numerous people in this city who are not Christian.  You’ve been mayor for almost nine years.  Don’t pretend you didn’t realize not everyone is a Christian.  You know that.  I know that.  We all know that.  You knew the prayer trampled on the rights of those who aren’t Christian and even those who are Christian who don’t want to impose their beliefs on others, but you wanted to use your government office and a government event to impose your religious beliefs on others and give primacy to your religion over all other religions and ignore the law.  You should be mayor of all the people including non-Christians and aboriginals.  You should be extremely ashamed of yourselves.

If there is any retaliation by you such as abusing your authority to kick me off the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee or preventing me from being on committees and boards in the future, I will absolutely sue for damages and I’m sure the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission won’t like that too.

Following are just a few of the extremely threatening, racist, bigoted, intolerant, profane, and nasty comments in the past two days by the supporters of Don Atchison and Randy Donauer on the National Post site on the Web posted in response to the article by Betty Ann Adam that was published on Saturday, April 21.  These comments have now been deleted, but I am attaching to this email a saved Web page with these comments:

8uc
Canada's history and culture is intertwined with Christianity.  Atheism is a false religion.  Since we won't take up arms against your heresy, perhaps we should let the moslems have a crack at you eh?


Eager Beagle
Ashu Solo is threatening? (he refers to threatening a human rights complaint)

Well, that reveals to me that his background is from a country, where you can just pick up a stone or a stick and run around the streets with a thousand kindred spirits, burn and loot to express your displeasure at whatever.

Mr. Solo, this primitive tactic will not work in Canada. We are a civilized, first world country (yet). Where can I make a donation to buy you a one way ticket back home?

God bless.


anonomyous
Who the hell let him into MY country? I really am sick and tired of all the complaining and complainers. Here is a thought Solo and there is no Mr. attached to that either - IF you don't like it or cannot be TOLERANT then kindly LEAVE THIS COUNTRY - GO BACK HOME where you most probably can do what you want. We have MORE RESPECT for others and their beliefs than you seem to.


ABM
Yet another example of immigrants trying to change our country and beliefs to suit themselves. If you don't like the way we do things in our country, then go back to where you came from. We do not want or need you here.


Janfred
Deport him.


frlwinslow
If Ashu Solo or any other individual does not accept the faith which is definitively a part of Canadian Historical Culture he, and any others, are free to leave the country for one where they would be more comfortable - and they can take the ridiculous, useless, meaningless HRC's with them! It is time for Canadians to stand up for their own culture instead of kowtowing to the whims and demands of those who emanate from other cultures and then wish to impose them upon proud Canadians!

Of course this comment will cause the lefties to go wild. But, let's face it, multiculturalism, as such is forced down our throats by the ignorant, is a crock of manure and needs to be replaced by a sensible vision of true multicultural rights as are being implemented now in other countries!


mrbuddhafreak
Gesundheit


anon980513459
Oh Dear, Ashu...just listen, or not, and be interested,or not, in other peoples foolishness if you like.. in the meantime please dont come here and stir the pot and cost us money by making frivolous complaints to whoever will listen. By the way Ii hear they are awarding costs against people like you.How would they handle this wherever you come from ? Hang, draw and quarter you for not believing...and flog you half to death first? I think so......


pentedco
Freedom Fighter, better get to Anger Management before you go completely nuts, dude!
Now if there is no God, I suppose there would be no repercussions if that Solo guy were tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail...


LBT
My family came to this country and worked their fingers to the bone - there were no Human Rights to whine to - they made their life on their own. These pathetic losers need to re-think their stay in Canada! Here's an idea - if you are that shallow bud, LEAVE!


BlueScot
Christian religion and its traditions are part of our Canadian culture & heritage. Get over it, new Canadian. To make this country secularist will mean turning our back on ouer heritage and where we came from. Canada has its history just like every other country. There is no obligation to conform to Solo's culture or remove our own for his sake. Whether you are christian or not, history cannot be changed.


nailrman
this dude is a "Dumfuc" a$$hole!  Enough said


Kevin South
I don't know what country you came from but if you don't like it then go back to where you came from.

Obviously you have come from a loser Muslim country. Name me one Muslim country that has been successful? All of these people like you are coming from these loser countries because our Christian countries are successful. You try to impose your religion on us and don't tell me you are an atheist because deep down you are not. You are just a trouble maker. Do you think that if a Christian went to your corrupt loser country that they would even be able to express anything at all? I suggest that you study the Christian bible and then maybe you will see the light


Pc800cc
You're a godless fool Ashu. Desparate for attention. Well I hope you enjoy your 15 seconds.


anonomyous
Who the hell let him into MY country? I really am sick and tired of all the complaining and complainers. Here is a thought Solo and there is no Mr. attached to that either - IF you don't like it or cannot be TOLERANT then kindly LEAVE THIS COUNTRY - GO BACK HOME where you most probably can do what you want. We have MORE RESPECT for others and their beliefs than you seem to.


ProudCanuck
Read the Mayor's comments..."“I’ve never given it any thought at all,” he said."

I think he should have given it some thought and been a leader without having to insult other faith groups and atheists. I know Saskatoon is no world center, but I betcha it is the 21st century there, too.


Eager Beagle
Solo is another example of 'those' people who enter Canada, like some royalty and immediately claim everything connected to their 'rights'.

How much more humble my generation of immigrants were (1950-1960), who came into this country! We were thankful, humble, shy, self-conscious and eager to work; eager to become real Canadians, like those who had been born here. We did not have airs. We did not object to Canada's Christian heritage or saying grace at mealtime.

This new breed of immigrant is arrogant, demanding, self-centered and mouths the Charter, which he probably memorized already 'back home'. Not a real immigrant, but some economic opportunist to enrich himself, then go back home and live like a king, while cursing bad, bad Canada.

Mr. Solo, go up to Baffin Island and chill out. Get your bearings right. By talking like this, you are not a real Canadian, but a phony usurper, who can only think of rights. What have you given to Canada? You are a typical 'me-me' type of person, who only has wants, wants.

Or here is a suggestion. Go to your religious leader and let him teach you some manners, which only a religious education can provide. Because atheists have zero finesse and are only able to display a perpetual abrasive personality. Hyper critical, arrogant mien.

Through many years of tradition, many Canadians have been saying grace; thanking God for providing for our bodies and souls. We want to keep it this way; not your way.


steve_hi
Ashu
His name says it all
he is an Ashu


LBT
I have to finally say one thing sir - think about it! Unless you just want publicity, maybe you are in the wrong country, We don't need this whiny crap here.


kencos
OK Canada are we going to accept this crap? Don't know where Soho is from but if not from here go back where he came from .....Canadian's won't surrender it's heritage for fools like you!


TheBeaver
Not even 2nd class? OK,  I'd say you are no class .
But really a first class pin--head.


Sassylassie
I won't even type what I think of him, to many offending words for the pinhead to absorb.


dandelion
I just noticed that person's eyes - the one in this article. They are like shark's eyes, lifeless...scary!!!!


Sick of FF
Great job - I would have said $&@?!$&#}%>€^£<}#|!! This
A whole needs to get a life. Go back to wherever you came from and volunteer there - we do not need you here.
We are sick of your krap buddy - enough already.
Take all your lefty political friends with you?
Sick of all iof you, including FF - should U still be awake a$$howole!


binkyspop
You are a second class citizen...and you came to Canada to become first class. And clearly that's not working. So why not go back to your third class country?


And here’s a Facebook comment I just saw directed at me from one of your supporters:
Bobby Bartram hey atheisti hope somebody kills your sorry ass!!t


The above comments are by supporters of Don Atchison and Randy Donauer and their religious bigotry and discrimination.  Atchison and Donauer, you should be extremely ashamed of yourselves.

One more thing, Atchison and Donauer.  A few of your extremely nasty, vicious, racist, and bigoted supporters have called my complaint petty.  Your refusal to apologize and your refusal to not violate the separation of government and religion again is infinitely more petty.  How important is it really for you to have prayers at municipal government events?

There should be a code of conduct for the mayor and city councilors that prevents your religious bigotry and discrimination.

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Saturday, April 21, 2012

RE: RE: Newspaper Article About Religious Bigotry at Saskatoon Volunteer Appreciation Banquet


From: Ashu M. G. Solo
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 12:30 PM
To: 
Mayor's Office; Randy Donauer
Cc: 
Darren Hill; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois 
Subject: RE: RE: Newspaper Article About Religious Bigotry at Saskatoon Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

Hi Mayor Atchison and Councillor Donauer,

Now that I know from the Star Phoenix that a city councillor said the public Christian prayer at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, for this complaint of religious discrimination to not proceed to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, I would need to see all of the following by Friday, April 27, 2012:

1. An apology from Mayor Atchison to me and to anyone else who was offended for having a public Christian prayer at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.
2. An apology from Councillor Donauer to me and to anyone else who was offended for saying a public Christian prayer at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.
3. A guarantee from Mayor Atchison that he will not violate the separation of religion and government again at any Saskatoon municipal government event.  This includes not violating the separation of religion and government with the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.  The name of this event should be changed, so it doesn’t use the office of mayor to promote prayer or Christian prayer.  It could be called “Don Atchison’s Prayer Breakfast.”
4. A guarantee from Councillor Donauer that he will not violate the separation of religion and government again at any Saskatoon municipal government event.

You should stop making non-Christian Saskatoon citizens feel excluded and like second-class citizens by having public Christian prayers at municipal government events.  This is absolutely disgraceful.

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo

RE: Newspaper Article About Religious Bigotry at Saskatoon Volunteer Appreciation Banquet


From: Ashu M. G. Solo
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 10:39 AM
To: Mayor's Office; Randy Donauer
Cc: Darren Hill; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois
Subject: RE: Newspaper Article About Religious Bigotry at Saskatoon Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

Hi Mayor Atchison and Councillor Donauer,

I’ll respond to what you told Star Phoenix reporter Betty Ann Adam, as quoted in her article below. 

Mayor Atchison, you can’t rotate between having prayers for different religions every year because there are thousands of religions.  There are religions on small islands that we’ve never heard of.  Are you going to have a Scientology prayer, a Zoroastrian prayer, and a Heaven’s Gate prayer?  These religions have no less validity to their followers than any other religion.  As an atheist, I believe in no religion.  It would take millenniums to rotate through prayers for every religion.  Different people attend the banquet every year and they don’t live for millenniums, so nobody would ever be exposed to every prayer for every religion at the banquet.  Besides it is extremely inappropriate to have any prayer at a municipal government event because it violates the separation of religion and government.  Why not just leave out the prayers so nobody is discriminated against and nobody is offended?

Councillor Donauer, you say you’re for freedom and tolerance and I believe you imply that I’m not in the article below.  I think this is defamation by implication and I believe I could sue you, Councillor Donauer, for libel and slander for implying that.  I will consider doing that.  Freedom and tolerance are not about using your municipal government office to push your religious beliefs onto others who don’t share them.  This is a form of religious bigotry and discrimination.  Freedom and tolerance are about protecting the rights of the minority from the misdirected will of the majority.  In this case, freedom and tolerance are about protecting the rights of religious minorities and nonreligious people from the misdirected will of a Christian majority.  There cannot be a tyranny of the majority in Saskatoon municipal government.  Let’s not twist the meaning of freedom and tolerance.  As for The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, if you read it, you will see that it contains no reference to Christianity like your public prayer clearly did by mentioning the name Jesus.

Shame on those who would use their government offices and government events to impose their religious beliefs on people who don’t share them. 

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Newspaper Article About Religious Bigotry at Saskatoon Volunteer Appreciation Banquet



From: Ashu M. G. Solo
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 8:39 AM
To: Mayor's Office; Randy Donauer
Cc: Darren hill; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois 
Subject: Newspaper Article About Religious Bigotry at Saskatoon Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

FROM
This is on the third page of the Star Phoenix and on the Star Phoenix Web site too.


Christian prayer sparks complaint


Citizen felt excluded by blessing


BY BETTY ANN ADAM, THE STARPHOENIXAPRIL 21, 2012



 A Christian prayer by a city councillor at a City of Saskatoon volunteer appreciation dinner discriminated against non-Christians, says a volunteer who intends to complain to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.
Ashu Solo, a member of the city's cultural diversity and race relations committee, was among the guests at the dinner Wednesday, where Coun. Randy Donauer said a blessing over the food in which he mentioned Jesus and ended with "amen."
"It made me feel like a second-class citizen. It makes you feel excluded," said Solo, who is an atheist.
"It's ironic that I've now become a victim of religious bigotry and discrimination at this banquet that was supposed to be an appreciation banquet for the service of volunteers like me."
The inclusion of a Christian prayer at a municipal government event violates the separation of religion and government, Solo wrote in a lengthy email to Mayor Don Atchison, which he later distributed to the rest of council.
Solo also takes issue with a prayer that "clearly gives primacy to one religion over all other religions" at a municipal event paid for with Saskatoon taxpayer money.
"This is not a Christian country or a Christian city. It is a secular multicultural country and secular multicultural city with people from numerous religions as well as spiritual people, agnostics and atheists," Solo said.
Municipal officials should not use their offices to "perform religious bigotry, as this is," or "to impose their own religious beliefs on others," Solo said.
Atchison said he was caught off-guard by the complaint because many of the events he attends include a prayer before meals.
"I've never given it any thought at all," he said.
Atchison said he is sorry to hear Solo felt excluded.
He suggested in the future, the dinner could feature prayers from different religions on a rotating basis. There could even be a dinner with no prayer at all for atheists, he said.
Solo said the rotation idea will not work because there are thousands of religions.
He wants an apology from the mayor and a promise there won't be any more prayers at City of Saskatoon events. He said if he does not receive those by next Friday, he will proceed with a human rights complaint naming the City of Saskatoon, Atchison and Donauer.
"That will give us a few days to think about it and see what we need to do here," Atchison said. "I certainly couldn't give that (assurance and apology) to anyone right now."
Donauer, who is a parttime administrator at Saskatoon Christian Centre, an evangelical church, said he doesn't see anything wrong with praying to Jesus at such an event.
"If I go to function, whether it's a different religious organization or community organization, if they have a spiritual service, opening the function or something like that, I've never been offended by that, I don't have a problem with that. People are entitled to do what they want to do."
Asked if a City of Saskatoon event is different from a religious community event, Donauer responded, "I think he's got a different view on it than I do. I'm for freedom and tolerance.
"Separation of church and state is not a legislated thing. The charter of rights opens with the line under "the supremacy of God," so in the first line of the charter of rights of the Constitution it acknowledges that there is a God. So how prayer can violate that is beyond me," he said.
badam@thestarphoenix.com
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Friday, April 20, 2012

RE: Christian Prayer at Volunteer Appreciation Banquet


From: Ashu M. G. Solo

Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 12:37 PM
To: Mayor's Office;  
Cc: Darren Hill; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Randy Donauer; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois
Subject: RE: Christian Prayer at Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

Hi,

I’m sure most people at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet wouldn’t be happy if a Sikh, Scientologist, or Buddhist mayor were to have a religious figure say a prayer from his religion to the audience.  Why should Christianity be treated any differently? 

In a free society, the majority cannot discriminate against the minority.  In a free society, the rights of the minority must be protected from the misdirected will of the majority. 

Instead of discriminating against religious minorities, municipal officials should be respecting all religious minorities.  Instead of performing religious bigotry, municipal officials should be fighting to stop religious bigotry.  Instead of imposing religious beliefs on others, municipal officials should not use their offices and municipal government events to promote their own religions.

An individual at my table at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet told me that there was a Christian prayer at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet last year too.  I don’t know how long this practice has been going on in Saskatoon municipal government events, but it is extremely inappropriate, extremely offensive, extremely shameful, extremely disgraceful, extremely bigoted, and extremely discriminatory.  It must stop immediately.

If this situation isn’t rectified to my satisfaction, as described in my previous email, I will proceed to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. 

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Christian Prayer at Volunteer Appreciation Banquet



From: Ashu M. G. Solo

Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 5:50 PM
To: 'Web E-mail - Mayor's Office'
Subject: Christian Prayer at Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

Hi Mayor Atchison,

I attended the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet last night.  You made a good speech.  However, I have to say that I was extremely shocked, extremely offended, and extremely dismayed that there was a Christian prayer (which mentioned the Christian God Jesus) to start the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.  

The inclusion of a Christian prayer in a municipal government event clearly violates the separation of religion and government.  Furthermore, it clearly gives primacy to one religion over all other religions.  There should not be a Christian prayer at a municipal government sponsored event, particularly when it is paid for with Saskatoon taxpayer money.  As a mayor, you should know better than that.  Also, I hope the priest who spoke the prayer wasn’t paid for with Saskatoon taxpayer money.  This is not a Christian country or Christian city.  It is a secular multicultural country and secular multicultural city with people from numerous religions as well as spiritual people, agnostics, and atheists.  I’ve attended numerous banquets for numerous secular organizations and there was never a prayer at any of them and certainly not a Christian prayer at any of them.  I would have thought the last place I would hear a prayer was at a municipal government event for volunteers including volunteers serving on the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee, which, as you know, promotes respect for all races, religions, ethnicities, cultures, etc.  It is extremely inappropriate and extremely discriminatory to have a Christian prayer at a municipal government event.  I know there were many people at this event who are not Christian.  If you or other people want to pray before having dinner, people are free to do that on their own according to their own religious beliefs, but when there is a public Christian prayer at a municipal government event, that is extremely discriminatory.  Religion is a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code and a fundamental freedom under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  I served as an infantry officer and platoon commander understudy in the Cdn. Army Reserve to honorably and lawfully defend freedom of religion and other freedoms.  You’re free to promote Christianity on your own time, but you’re not free to use the office of mayor or a municipal government event to promote Christianity and impose your religious beliefs on others who don’t share them.

I was invited to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet because of my volunteer work for the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee.  I didn’t volunteer to be subject to Christian indoctrination.  I joined the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee to fight against discrimination.  I never would have thought that my service on the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee would instead make me a victim of discrimination at a municipal government Volunteer Appreciation Banquet for public representatives on the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee and other committees and boards.  If I had known there would be a Christian prayer at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, I certainly wouldn’t have attended because I don’t want to be subject to Christian indoctrination at a municipal government sponsored event or anywhere else.  I will certainly not attend this event ever again in the future if there is a Christian prayer at it.  If I wanted to attend a prayer, I could go to a religious institution.  If I wanted to attend a Christian prayer, I could go to a church.  But I would never attend a prayer at any kind of religious institution because I’m an atheist.

Furthermore, I’ve heard that you have an annual event called the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.  I find the idea of a Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast to be extremely offensive.  I haven’t attended this event because it obviously includes prayer, but the office of mayor should not be used to promote prayer or one particular religion.  Obviously you’re free to do whatever you like with religion on your own time, but it clearly violates the separation of religion and government to have an event called “Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast” instead of something like “Don Atchison’s Prayer Breakfast.”  Also, it clearly gives primacy to one religion over all other religions if there is only Christian prayer at that event.  I hope this Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast isn’t paid for or partially paid for with Saskatoon taxpayer money.

As you know, Saskatoon Public Schools were forced to stop having a Christian "Lord's prayer" in public schools when a complaint was made by religious minorities to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

This morning, I spoke to an intake officer named Marcy at the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission about the Christian prayer at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet and about the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.  She believes that a complaint about this would have merit.  Such a complaint might have political ramifications for you.  I have not filed a complaint yet with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission because I’m giving you the chance to remedy this situation first.  I would like an apology for there being a Christian prayer at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet I attended.  Also, I would like a promise that there will not be any kind of prayer at future Volunteer Appreciation Banquets and that the separation of religion and government will not be violated again at any event.  Otherwise I will be forced to make a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.  I will absolutely file a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission if I’m not satisfied.  I was going to send a complaint to the Saskatchewan Human Rights last night right after the banquet, but then I thought I’d give you a chance to remedy this situation first. 

I’m on the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee, but I’m not writing this email as part of my work on the committee because I’ve been told the committee doesn’t do human rights advocacy.  I’m speaking independently in this email as a civil libertarian because I strongly believe that it’s always better to vigorously stand up for what’s right than passively sit down for what’s wrong.

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo