The monument in downtown Ottawa opened on Dec. 12 without any names inscribed.
The controversial Victims of Communism memorial opened Dec. 12 with organizers promising that the names of those to be honoured will be added to the site by next year.
But shortly after that official statement was made, the office of Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge claimed that no specific timeline had been agreed to by the federal government.
Dozens of people, including diplomats and community leaders, gathered for the opening of the memorial, located near the corner of Wellington and Bay streets.
Yvan Baker, the Liberal MP for Etobicoke Centre who was supposed to be the federal government official to inaugurate the memorial, did not show up at the event. He later attended a reception after the event.
The unveiling was put on hold last year because of the controversy over parliamentarians honouring Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian Waffen SS soldier and potential links between the monument and Nazi collaborators, according to records obtained by the Ottawa Citizen. In addition, Jewish groups have voiced their ongoing concerns about the names of alleged Nazi collaborators and other fascists being inscribed on the memorial’s wall of remembrance.
But Ludwik Klimkowski, who leads the organization behind the memorial, said names will be added starting next year.
“Friends we hope to see you again in 2025 to tell you all about the journey of those are meant to be on the side of this wall of remembrance,” said Klimkowski, chair of the Tribute of Liberty organization. “If you don’t hear them today, you will hear them at that point.”
But when Klimkowski spoke about adding the names, a protester shouted “No Nazis.” (more...)
Names to be added to controversial Victims of Communism memorial next year, says organizer
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