Parade goers in Chilliwack were shocked to find tiny plastic fetuses in a candy bag being handed out at the Rosedale Harvest Festival by people on the Chilliwack Pregnancy Care Centre float.
Organizers of the event did not apologize to anyone upset by the handouts. They did however acknowledge the material caused 鈥渦nease鈥� for some and pledged to ensure it would not happen again.
Connie MacLeod posted photos and comments on social media about how 鈥渢riggering鈥� the plastic fetus baggies were, especially being handed out from a parade float to celebrate the fall harvest.
鈥淗ow is this allowed at a 鈥榢id-friendly鈥� event?鈥� MacLeod wrote. 鈥淩egardless of where you stand on the topic of abortion, what parent wants to be talking with their little ones about the 鈥榖utchering of unborn babies鈥�? How does that spread enjoyment for the event?鈥�
She said it was particularly galling that the same organization, run by Chilliwack Pro Life, made a post claiming to be 鈥渟ensitive鈥� to those who have lost a pregnancy.
鈥淭his is so incredibly insensitive to others in a similar situation,鈥� she wrote.
It would been different if it was a booth people could avoid on the parade route.
鈥淏ut a float in the parade in which they sought out children and families with toy fetuses? That鈥檚 disgusting,鈥� MacLeod wrote.
Another parade goer had this to say about the 鈥渉urtful鈥� handouts to women: 鈥淗ad such fun at previous events. But this year they had a group hand out plastic fetuses and lollipops with footprints to children. 鈥淩egardless of your stance on that topic, that is not appropriate for a family event. No apologies. Hurtful and insensitive to those who have suffered losses. So disappointed.鈥�
Organizers of the Rosedale Harvest Festival posted on their Facebook page acknowledging the 鈥渦nease鈥� the packages caused in a thank-you message:
鈥淲e understand there were some things distributed in the parade that caused unease.
鈥淲e want to reassure everyone that this came unawares to us as well and we hope from here on out to limit the handing out exclusively to candy!鈥�
READ MORE: Harvest Fest had plowing last year
READ MORE: Painting party part of first event
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