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.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Latest Coverage on Civil Rights Complaint against Atchison and Donauer


From: Ashu M. G. Solo 
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2012 10:25 AM

To:  Mayor's Office; Randy Donauer
Cc: Glen Penner; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois; Darren Hill
Subject: Latest Coverage on Civil Rights Complaint against Atchison and Donauer

Hi Don Atchison and Randy Donauer,

This email didn’t go through properly to some recipients before, so I’m resending it.

Saskatoon’s Planet S magazine recently came out with this excellent article about my civil rights complaint against you:


I got a chance to really strongly criticize the two of you for your violation of civil rights in this recent Legion of Reason podcast:


I also got a chance to really strongly criticize the two of you for religious discrimination and bigotry in this recent interview for the Crommunist Manifesto blog:


Although podcasts and blogs don’t get as much attention as mainstream media, I consider them still worth being interviewed by to get my message of religious liberty out further.  Extensive mainstream media coverage follows.  Because there was such extensive media coverage in the beginning, I wasn’t able to keep you informed of it until after it was over and I was able to make a list of it.  This email is blind copied to various media outlets.

Updated PARTIAL List of Media Coverage about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is an updated PARTIAL list of recent media coverage as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison (mayor of Saskatoon) and Randy Donauer (Saskatoon city councillor) for violating the separation of religion and government, giving primacy to their religion over all other religions at a taxpayer funded government event, and abusing their government offices to try to impose their religious beliefs on others who don’t share them.  The Centre for Inquiry Canada, Canadian Secular Alliance, and Canadian Civil Liberties Association are assisting me with this case because they agree that civic events must be secular.


PARTIAL List of News Articles about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a PARTIAL list of news articles as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

Betty Ann Adam, "Christian prayer sparks complaint:  Citizen felt excluded by blessing," The StarPhoenix, Apr. 21, 2012,
This article was on the third page.

Chris Mangatal, “Citizen calls out Saskatoon councillor's prayer at government event:  Ashu Solo says the prayer showed favouritism toward the Christian religion, and violates the separation of church and government,” News Talk 980 CJME, Apr. 22, 2012,

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,
This article was on the third page.

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,
This article was on the third page.

"Civic functions must be secular," Editorial, The StarPhoenix, Apr. 26, 2012,
The StarPhoenix editorial board supports my position that civic events must be secular.

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

“Prayers at Official Functions a No-No!” Asian Journal, Apr. 27, 2012,

World Report, “CP World Report:  Newt Gingrich, Atheist, Malaria Day, Northern Lights,” The Christian Post, Apr. 29, 2012,

“Saskatoon prayer controversy heats up,” CBC News, Apr. 30, 2012,

Edwin Dewaal, “Human Rights Complaint Filed,” Saskatoonhomepage.ca, May 1, 2012,

The Canadian Press, “Atheist files complaint with Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission over prayer,” Global Saskatoon, May 1, 2012,

Morgan Modjeski, “Local man reports threats as result of filing human rights complaint,” Metro Saskatoon, May 2, 2012,
This article was on the first page.

News Talk Radio staff, “Man files human rights complaint over Saskatoon prayer controversy,” News Talk 650 CKOM, May 2, 2012,

"We Think Civic Events Should Be Secular:  It’s Time for Us to Evolve:  Saying a Prayer at a Municipal Gathering Is Exclusionary," Editorial, Verb, May 4, 2012,
Verb’s editorial board supports my position that civic events must be secular.

Joanne McGarry, "Grievances hit a new low with complaint about Grace," Catholic Register, May 8, 2012,

“Keep Church and State Separate,” Wetaskiwin Times, May 8, 2012,

Lisa Johnson, “Believe It or Not, This Is a Secular Society,” Planet S, May 31, 2012,


Talk Radio Interviews of Ashu M. G. Solo about Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a list of my talk radio interviews as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

Ashu M. G. Solo on Arlene Bynon show with host Arlene Bynon, Talk Radio AM640, Apr. 23, 2012,

Ashu M. G. Solo on John Gormley Live with host John Gormley, News Talk 650 CKOM, Apr. 24, 2012,
This segment was rebroadcast on the Victoria Day holiday on May 21, 2012.

Ashu M. G. Solo on Jim Richards Showgram with host Jim Richards, Newstalk 1010, Apr. 24, 2012,

Ashu M. G. Solo on Charles Adler show with host Charles Adler, Apr. 24, 2012,

Ashu M. G. Solo and Justin Trottier on The Roy Green Show with host Roy Green, Apr. 28, 2012,
Summary:  http://www.roygreenshow.com/2012/04/some-of-whats-on-todays-show-saturday-april-28.html

Ashu M. G. Solo on Jim Richards Showgram with host Jim Richards, Newstalk 1010, May 1, 2012,

Ashu M. G. Solo and Justin Trottier on The Roy Green Show with host Roy Green, May 6, 2012,
Summary:  http://www.roygreenshow.com/2012/05/heres-some-of-whats-on-todays-show-may-6.html


Radio News Interviews of Ashu M. G. Solo about Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a list of my radio news interviews as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

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

Ashu M. G. Solo interviewed by Edwin Dewaal for news on CJWW Radio, May 1, 2012


Talk Radio Interview Excerpts of Ashu M. G. Solo about Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a radio segment with excerpts of a talk radio interview on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

Ashu M. G. Solo on Charles Adler show with host Charles Adler, Apr. 25, 2012,


PARTIAL List of Reprints of News Articles about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a PARTIAL list of reprints of news articles as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer.  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 their religious discrimination and bigotry.

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,

Chris Mangatal, “Local offended by prayer at Saskatoon municipal event,” PANow.com, Apr. 23, 2012,

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

Betty Ann Adam, "Grad dinner prayer draws controversy," The Province, 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,

"Civic functions must be secular," Editorial, 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,

“Saskatoon prayer controversy heating up,” Yahoo News, Apr. 30, 2012,

The Canadian Press, “Atheist files complaint with Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission over prayer,” Huffington Post, May 1, 2012,

The Canadian Press, “Atheist files complaint with Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission over prayer,” MySask.com, May 1, 2012,

The Canadian Press, “Atheist files complaint with Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission over prayer,” Winnipeg Free Press, May 1, 2012,

The Canadian Press, “Atheist files complaint with Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission over prayer,” Brandon Sun, May 1, 2012,

News Talk Radio staff, “Man files human rights complaint over Saskatoon prayer controversy,” News Talk 980 CJME, May 2, 2012,

“Man files human rights complaint over Saskatoon prayer controversy,” PANow.com, May 2, 2012,


Other Radio Segments about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a list of other radio segments as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

Barbara Kay on Charles Adler show with host Charles Adler, Apr. 23, 2012,

“Politics and Religion” on Blue Sky, CBC, May 1, 2012,

There were also numerous other short mentions of my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer on numerous radio segments.


Postcast Interview about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is the podcast interview as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

Ashu M. G. Solo on The Legion of Reason with hosts Randy Tyson and Christine Shellska, Episode 19, May 25, 2012,


List of Blog Interviews about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a list of blog interviews as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

Ashu M. G. Solo interviewed by Ian Cromwell, “Crommunist exclusive:  I interview Ashu Solo,” Crommunist Manifesto, May 17, 2012,

Ashu M. G. Solo interviewed by Ian Cromwell, “Full interview with Ashu Solo,” Crommunist Manifesto, May 17, 2012,


PARTIAL List of Blog Postings about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a PARTIAL list of blog postings as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

"So many religions so little time:  Atheist Solo stands against exclusively Christian prayers," The Crackpot Chronicle, Apr. 22, 2012,

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

"Old news:  Judge orders school district to apologize to agnostics," One Minion's Opinion, May 2, 2012,

Ian Cromwell, “Taking them on Solo,” Crommunist Manifesto, May 17, 2012,


PARTIAL List of Letters to the Editor about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is a PARTIAL list of letters to the editor as of May 31, 2012 on my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer:

Andrew Frank, “Respect Pluralism,” 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,


Press Release on Ashu M. G. Solo’s Civil Rights Complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer

Following is the press release as of May 31, 2012 for my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer.  This is a media advisory, not media coverage:

“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,” Marketwire, Apr. 30, 2012,


Blog with Ashu M. G. Solo’s emails to Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and City Council

Following is my blog as of May 31, 2012 for the public record with my emails to Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and City Council, my civil rights complaint against Don Atchison, Donauer, and the City of Saskatoon, and my media coverage for this complaint against Don Atchison and Randy Donauer for abusing their government offices to try to impose their religious beliefs on others who don’t share them.  This is my blog for this civil rights complaint; this is not a publication:

Ashu M. G. Solo, “Religious Discrimination and Bigotry of Mayor Don Atchison and Councillor Randy Donauer in Saskatoon,”

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo
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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Editorial Boards for The StarPhoenix and Verb Agree that Civic Events Must Be Secular


From: Ashu M. G. Solo 
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 12:34 AM
To:  Mayor's Office; Randy Donauer

Cc: Glen Penner; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois; Darren Hill
Subject: Editorial Boards for The StarPhoenix and Verb Agree that Civic Events Must Be Secular

Don Atchison and Randy Donauer,

I saw today that the editorial board for Verb, a free Saskatoon newspaper, has come out with an editorial in favor of my position that civic events must be secular, as you can see here:


The StarPhoenix editorial board previously wrote an editorial in favor of my position that civic events must be secular:


It's my position and the position of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association that freedom of conscience in section 2a of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms includes freedom from religion, that the Charter forbids attempts to coerce, limit, or otherwise influence the choice of religious observance, and that section 27 of the Charter forbids conferring special privileges or benefits on any particular religion.

Separation of religion and government means government can't interfere with freedom to practice religion, but also means government can't promote any religion.  This is to protect people of all religions including Christians.  Separation of religion and government is a fundamental aspect of freedom of religion.

When Don Atchison and Randy Donauer have a Christian prayer at a municipal government event, it sends the message that there is a priority given to Christian values, it sends the message that Christians are more valued or welcome than others while marginalizing others, it sends the message that only Christians can serve on City Council because a non-Christian won’t have a Christian prayer, and it forces those who object to the prayer to make the choice of having to sit through the prayer against their religion, conscience, or will or face embarrassment from leaving the room.  This is absolutely disgraceful. 

We don’t live in the 1940s anymore.  Get with the 21st century!

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Don Atchison LIED about me to Metro News


From: Ashu M. G. Solo
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 11:45 AM
To: Morgan Modjeski
Cc: Mayor's Office; Randy Donauer; Glen Penner; Pat Lorje; Ann Iwanchuk; Myles Heidt; Charlie Clark; Mairin Loewen; Glen Penner; Tiffany Paulsen; Bev Dubois; Darren Hill
Subject: Don Atchison LIED about me to Metro News

Hi Morgan,

You wrote a good article about my case for Metro News.  In the article, Don Atchison lied to you about me when he says I’ve done all of my dialog through the media like I’ve never made an attempt to talk to him about this.  I’ve sent Don Atchison about 10 email messages.  Don Atchison is the one who has made his responses through the media.  He has done all of his dialog through the  media.

I’ve sent Don Atchison and Randy Donauer about 10 email messages, which are available to the public at http://atchison-discrimination.blogspot.ca and which have been copied to Saskatoon City Council.  Don Atchison and Randy Donauer haven’t responded to any of my email messages.  My phone number was at the end of my email messages.  Don Atchison and Randy Donauer haven’t bothered phoning me. 

Justin Trottier from the Centre for Inquiry, which is working with me on this case, left phone messages for Don Atchison and Randy Donauer.  Don Atchison and Randy Donauer never called Justin Trottier back too.  Don Atchison and Randy Donauer obviously have no interest in discussing this issue.

I tried speaking to Don Atchison on the phone once when he was a city councillor about the issue of police corruption.  Don Atchison unprofessionally and rudely hung up on me when I tried calling him that time, so now I’m sending him email instead.  Also, I want there to be a record of what was said, so I’m using email instead.

My demands are not something that can be negotiated through dialog with Don Atchison and Randy Donauer.  I’m unwilling to compromise on public prayer recitations being eliminated from official city events because this is an extremely discriminatory and bigoted practice.  A “universal” prayer discriminates against agnostics and atheists.

My first email message to Don Atchison and Randy Donauer was copied to various media outlets because Don Atchison and Randy Donauer needed to be exposed by the media for abusing their government offices to impose their particular religious beliefs on others who don’t share them at taxpayer funded municipal government events.  This is a severe abuse of office that was rightly exposed by media.  Furthermore, I knew there would be much greater pressure on Don Atchison and Randy Donauer to stop imposing their religious beliefs on others at taxpayer funded municipal government events if this story was reported to the public by the media.  If Don Atchison and Randy Donauer had agreed to stop this discriminatory and bigoted practice and had apologized then, the news story would have ended there, but they stubbornly resisted.

When Brent Loucks of News Talk 650 CKOM asked Don Atchison on air on April 24, 2012 whether he’s going to stop having public Christian prayers at municipal government events in response to my complaint, Don Atchison started talking about how this city was founded by a Methodist priest named John Lake (you can hear this starting at 3:30 of http://www.ckom.com/sites/default/files/Mayor_Atchison_Apr24.mp3)  How is this relevant at all, Don Atchison?  How is it relevant to whether there should be public Christian prayers at official city events in 2012 that the city was founded by a Christian priest?  In 2012, Saskatoon is an extremely diverse city with people from numerous religions.  Why would Don Atchison say this unless he’s trying to imply that Saskatoon should be a Christian city today?  Don Atchison is clearly implying that he thinks Saskatoon was founded as a Christian city and therefore should still be a Christian city today.  This is extremely discriminatory and bigoted.  Don Atchison is a religious bigot.  Saskatoon is not a Christian city today.  It is supposed to be and is advertised as a secular multicultural city in a secular multicultural country where all citizens are supposed to be treated equally.  Let’s have what is advertised.

By having public Christian prayers at civic events, Don Atchison and Randy Donauer are sending the message that a citizen can’t be the mayor or a city councillor without being a Christian.  By having public Christian prayers at civic events, Don Atchison and Randy Donauer are sending the message that a citizen is second class if she’s not a Christian.  By having public Christian prayers at civic events, Don Atchison and Randy Donauer are making Saskatchewan look like an archaic city of religious intolerance.  Don Atchison and Randy Donauer need to get with the 21st century.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Civil Rights Complaint Against Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and City of Saskatoon for Religious Discrimination

From: Ashu M. G. Solo
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: Civil Rights Complaint Against Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and City of Saskatoon for Religious Discrimination
Don Atchison and Randy Donauer,

I am attaching to this email a copy of my civil rights complaint made to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 that names Mayor Don Atchison, Councillor Randy Donauer, and the City of Saskatoon as defendants for religious discrimination at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.

This complaint is to protect the rights of the minority from the misdirected will of the majority. 

This complaint is to protect the right to freedom of religion enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

This complaint is to secure the birthright of religious liberty for all.

This complaint is to secure the right to freedom from religion as part of the right to freedom of religion.

This complaint is to enforce the separation of religion and government.

This complaint is to protect against religious bigots who would abuse their government offices to impose religion or spirituality on others who don't share these beliefs. 

This complaint is to protect against government giving primacy to one religion over all other religions.

This complaint is to protect against religious bigots who would abuse their government offices to impose their particular religious beliefs on others who don't share them. 

Most of all, this complaint is to get a judgment that has the effect of permanently stopping public prayers at all official civic events throughout the province of Saskatchewan.

And this complaint is to get a judgment that has persuasive value in other Canadian provinces too.

I sent this complaint by fax to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.  Then I also hand-delivered it to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 because they wanted a copy with the original signature and I could get a stamped copy of it.  I will provide further information to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on relevant legal precedents.

This email is being blinded copied to various media outlets.  My emails to Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and Saskatoon City Council are available at

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Civil Rights Complaint Against Mayor Don Atchison and Councillor Randy Donauer


From: Ashu M. G. Solo
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: Civil Rights Complaint Against Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and City of Saskatoon for Religious Discrimination
Don Atchison and Randy Donauer,

I am attaching to this email a copy of my civil rights complaint made to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 that names Mayor Don Atchison, Councillor Randy Donauer, and the City of Saskatoon as defendants for religious discrimination at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.

This complaint is to protect the rights of the minority from the misdirected will of the majority. 

This complaint is to protect the right to freedom of religion enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

This complaint is to secure the birthright of religious liberty for all.

This complaint is to secure the right to freedom from religion as part of the right to freedom of religion.

This complaint is to enforce the separation of religion and government.

This complaint is to protect against religious bigots who would abuse their government offices to impose religion or spirituality on others who don't share these beliefs. 

This complaint is to protect against government giving primacy to one religion over all other religions.

This complaint is to protect against religious bigots who would abuse their government offices to impose their particular religious beliefs on others who don't share them. 

Most of all, this complaint is to get a judgment that has the effect of permanently stopping public prayers at all official civic events throughout the province of Saskatchewan.

And this complaint is to get a judgment that has persuasive value in other Canadian provinces too.

I sent this complaint by fax to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.  Then I also hand-delivered it to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 because they wanted a copy with the original signature and I could get a stamped copy of it.  I will provide further information to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on relevant legal precedents.

This email is being blinded copied to various media outlets.  My emails to Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and Saskatoon City Council are available at
http://atchison-discrimination.blogspot.ca

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo


Following is the civil rights complaint made to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission against Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, and the City of Saskatoon.

 Civil Rights Complaint Against Mayor Don Atchison and Councillor Randy Donauer

By Ashu M. G. Solo

I attended a Volunteer Appreciation Banquet at TCU Place in Saskatoon on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.  This was a civic event put on by the office of Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison to thank volunteers on Saskatoon civic committees and boards.  I am a representative on the Saskatoon Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee, an advisory committee to Saskatoon City Council.  I was extremely shocked, extremely offended, and extremely dismayed that Councillor Randy Donauer tried to lead the audience in a public Christian prayer (which mentioned the Christian God Jesus) to start the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.  

The inclusion of a public 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. 

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. 

There should not be a public Christian prayer at a municipal government event or civic event paid for with Saskatoon taxpayer money.  A mayor and city councillor should know better than that. 

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.  The freedom of religion includes freedom from religion.

I’ve attended numerous banquets for numerous secular organizations and there was never a prayer at any of them and certainly not a public 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 promotes respect for all races, religions, ethnicities, cultures, etc. 

It is extremely inappropriate and extremely discriminatory to have a public Christian prayer at a municipal government event or civic event.  I know there were many people at this event who are not Christian.  If Don Atchison, Randy Donauer, 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. 

Don Atchison and Randy Donauer are free to promote Christianity on their own time, but they’re not free to use the office of mayor or a municipal government event funded by taxpayers to promote Christianity and impose their 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 subject to 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.

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. 

They 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.

Instead of discriminating against religious minorities, municipal officials should be respecting all religious minorities.  Instead of engaging in religious bigotry, municipal officials should be fighting to stop religious bigotry.  Instead of imposing their 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.

Furthermore, I’ve heard that Don Atchison has 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 Don Atchison is free to do whatever he likes with religion on his 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” because he is using the office of mayor to promote prayer with the name “Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.”  Also, Don Atchison is using the office of mayor to give primacy to one religion over all other religions because there is only Christian prayer at that event. 

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.  If public prayer was disallowed in public schools, why shouldn’t it also be disallowed in civic events?

When StarPhoenix reporter Betty Ann Adam questioned Don Atchison, he proposed 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:


Is Don Atchison going to have 10,000 different prayers?  Where are they 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?

There are religions on small islands that we’ve never heard of.  Is he 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?

Randy Donauer said he’s for freedom and tolerance.  I believe he implied that I’m not to Star Phoenix reporter Betty Ann Adam.  Freedom and tolerance are not about him using his municipal government office to push his 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.  In the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, there is no reference to Christianity like Randy Donauer’s public prayer clearly had 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. 

Don Atchison claims he never thought about the prayer.  He needs to wake up.  There are numerous people in Saskatoon who are not Christian.  Don Atchison has been mayor for almost nine years.  He shouldn’t pretend that he didn’t realize not everyone is a Christian.  He knows that.  I know that.  We all know that.  He 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 he wanted to use his government office and a taxpayer funded government event to impose his religious beliefs on others who don’t share them and give primacy to his religion over all other religions.  He should be mayor of all the people including non-Christians and aboriginals.  He should be extremely ashamed of himself.

Don Atchison and Randy Donauer both have an ongoing problem with violating the separation of religion and government.  This has resulted in many complaints in the past, but they continue to violate the separation of religion and government.  They won’t apologize or guarantee not to violate the separation of religion and government again.  Therefore, I am filing this complaint against them with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. 

I gave Don Atchison and Randy Donauer until April 27, 2012 to meet these demands:

1.       An apology from Don 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 Randy 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 Don Atchison that he will not violate the separation of religion and government again at any Saskatoon civic 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 Randy Donauer that he will not violate the separation of religion and government again at any Saskatoon civic event.

The only way this matter can be resolved is by them meeting these demands.

I’m absolutely not looking for any money.  This case is not at all about making money for me.  If monetary damages are awarded, I’ll absolutely donate them to charity.

I am working with the Centre for Inquiry on this case.  The Centre for Inquiry is a national educational charity advocating separation of religion and government and is Canada's leading voice for atheists and agnostics.  The Centre for Inquiry is supporting my case as well as similar moves across Canada to remove prayers from government proceedings.  

I am also supported by the Canadian Secular Alliance in this case.  Canadian Secular alliance is a public policy research organization that advocates for separation of religion and government and neutrality of government in religion.

Furthermore, my position on this case is supported by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Canada’s leading organization for defending and advancing civil rights and civil liberties.

I will provide further information on similar cases in other jurisdictions.  I haven’t had time yet to write about this.

I believe it would be a conflict of interest for Judge Arnot to be involved in this complaint because I know he is a friend of Don Atchison and went to high school with him.  I know this from speeches they made at an event they held to start the cultural diversity and race relations month in Saskatoon.


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