Government of Canada commemorates Viola Desmond who brought nation-wide attention to the African-Nova Scotian community's struggle for equal rights

NEW GLASGOW, NS, Aug. 12, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Parks Canada Agency

Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, commemorated the national historic significance of Viola Desmond with a plaque unveiling ceremony at the former Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

Viola Desmond, an African Canadian business woman, brought national attention to the African-Nova Scotian community's struggle for equal rights after being violently arrested for sitting in the "whites only" section of a New Glasgow movie theatre.

In November 1946, while travelling on business from Halifax to Sydney, Nova Scotia, car trouble forced Desmond to stop overnight in New Glasgow, where she decided to see a film at the Roseland Theatre. Unaware of the theatre's segregated seating rules, she attempted to purchase a ticket in the floor section – the theatre's "whites only" section. When she was informed that the theatre would only sell her a balcony ticket, she took a seat on the floor anyway. Police were called on-site and forcibly removed Desmond. She was arrested, held in jail overnight, and then charged, tried, and convicted with tax evasion. That charge, based on the one cent difference in tax between floor and balcony seats, was the only possible legal justification for her imprisonment. Her appeal to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia was unsuccessful but attracted nation-wide attention to the African-Nova Scotian community's struggle for equal rights.

Despite the outcome of her legal case, Desmond's act of resistance against anti-Black racism has come to represent a turning point in the struggle for equal rights in Canada.

National historic designations reflect the rich and varied heritage of our country and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about their history. The designation process is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,200 designations have been made.

Quote

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am honoured to commemorate the national historic significance of Viola Desmond. Through her courage, and an unwavering commitment to equal rights, she helped shape our country and improve life for all Canadians. Her legacy is as important today as it has ever been, as we continue the work to combat racism. I encourage all Canadians to learn more about Viola Desmond's significant role in our country's history."

The Honourable Sean Fraser, 
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Central Nova

Quick Facts

• Viola Desmond was born in Halifax, on July 6, 1914. After she graduated from high school, she taught in segregated schools for African-Canadian students.
• Viola Desmond attended the Field Beauty Culture School in Montréal, one of the few schools accepting African-Canadian students at the time, and went on to train in New York before she opened 'Vi's Studio of Beauty Culture' in Halifax.
• An entrepreneur, she sold beauty products for African-Canadian women that had previously been unavailable to Nova Scotians and provided career training.
• In 2010, the Government of Nova Scotia issued Viola Desmond an apology and a posthumous pardon.
• In 2016, the federal government announced that Viola Desmond would be featured on Canada's regularly circulating $10 bank note.
• Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, persons, and events that have marked Canada's history. 
• The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,200 designations have been made across Canada. To nominate a person, place or historical event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application

Related Document

Backgrounder: Viola Desmond (1914-1965)
Photos and media kit (Event photos will be added by 2 p.m., August 12)

Related Links 

Parks Canada Agency
Historic Sites and Monument Board Canada

SOURCE Parks Canada

Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected]; Alicia Brett, Communications Officer, Mainland Nova Scotia Field Unit, Parks Canada, [email protected], 902-478-5146