Alternative Covid views group to challenge States building ban
THE States has again refused to allow the next Channel Islands Integrative Health Alliance’s Covid Conversations talk to take place at the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts.
The States-owned building was originally sought as a larger venue for the CIIHA’s second talk, which claims to offer an alternative perspective on issues surrounding the pandemic, but the organisation was blocked from using it.
‘Our position remains unchanged,’ said Education operations director Ed Ashton.
‘Please remember that this is not about stopping any event that is opposed to government policy from taking place in a States venue, but rather this is specifically about an event promoting a particular narrative while we are still in a pandemic and our belief that it would be inappropriate for a States venue to host it.’
The previous decision sparked controversy, with some suggesting censorship was occurring.
Covid Conversations organiser Laura Anderson said the CIIHA would be writing to challenge the decision.
‘They have hosted many events to date which go directly against the States, indeed often challenging their position,’ she said. ‘This is censorship of the highest order.’
With just four people currently in hospital with Covid-19, she questioned the reasoning behind blocking the event due to the pandemic.
‘On this premise, how can the Performing Arts Centre declare a refusal to host an event on the flawed belief we are still in some sort of emergency?’ she said. ‘Four people in hospital is not a pandemic.’
Ms Anderson said it was crucial the event should be able to take place.
‘Interestingly I met one man who attended our event at St Pierre Park only because we had been banned. He told me it had piqued his interest as he had hitherto not been on board with what we were sharing. He came and he was fascinated by what the speakers had to say.’
The CIIHA plans to write to the Education, Sport & Culture Committee president Deputy Andrea Dudley Owen.
‘If we are to believe we still live in a democracy, the States will allow us to run the event in their building, which after all is only States-owned because we pay our taxes,’ Ms Anderson added.
