Canadian psychologist, author and media commentator Jordan B. Peterson is coming to Victoria to talk about his latest book 鈥� and one resident isn鈥檛 so thrilled about his visit.

An online is calling on Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto and the city to cancel Peterson鈥檚 May 19 live speaking event at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, citing concern for the safety of women, transgender and gender non-conforming people.

鈥淰iolence against women and LGBTQ2SIA+ folks starts with words so giving this man a platform to speak is directly impacting safety of marginalized communities,鈥� wrote the petitioner, identified as Eddi Wilson.

Peterson has received widespread attention for his views on cultural and political issues, which have often been seen as controversial.

鈥淧eterson and his followers will often argue that protesting or calling for the cancellation of his events is a censorship or infringement on the freedom of expression,鈥� Wilson wrote.

鈥淗owever freedom of expression in Canada is not absolute especially when it comes to hate speech that incites violence against a particular defined racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, religious or other identifiable group.鈥�

Wilson added that the petition was started in hopes that the City of Victoria would 鈥渞econsider giving such a large platform to someone who promotes ideas that are harmful to women and minorities.鈥�

The Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre has said the event will proceed as planned.

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