An atheist, protesting the opening prayer at Winnipeg City Hall is facing backlash online.
Tony Governo said social media posts in reaction to his stance have been vulgar, even racist.
"I got more negative ones. Some were profanity laced," Governo said.
Here is a sample of some of the posts made about Governo’s protest just minutes after CTV News’ story about the issue aired.
“Get over yourself.”
“You really are the biggest F****** crybaby I ever heard about.”
“I'm sick and tired of tolerating all different kind of ethnic groups and religions. Why don't for a change you tolerate Christians. Get a life.”
“Burn in Hell.”
Governo said his protest isn't about creating negativity online.
"It just proves my point that this is about inclusiveness and I'm trying to include everybody, even though it's on the grounds of me being an atheist," he said.
Governo has filed a human rights complaint arguing the opening prayer excludes him as an atheist and that the city is violating a Supreme Court ruling that bans the practice at municipal meetings.
The city said it’s on solid legal ground because councillors are allowed to choose a prayer from any denomination or even a non-religious addresses.
