Organizers of a protest planned in response to controversial videos shared by a local radio station say they’re sick of racism and want it to stop.
The protest happened on Tuesday at 1 p.m. outside 92 CITI FM.
Radio host Dave Wheeler has been suspended and the station issued an apology on its air after coming under fire for sharing what some are calling “racist, misogynistic, and sexist” videos.
“I want to apologize to our loyal viewers, listeners, and the city of Winnipeg for the two videos that were posted on our site yesterday,” 92 CITI FM program director Craig Pfeifer said in a statement.
“We love the city - we live and work here like all of you. We never meant to offend the great people of Winnipeg, and for that I am truly sorry.”
Pfeifer told CTV that the videos should have never been broadcast.
“We have already launched an investigation as to how this content made it onto our airwaves. We have strict policies in place for all editorial content and we adhere to the codes enforced by the CSBC,” said Pfiefer. “We are reviewing protocol with our editorial team to ensure these policies are upheld to the highest standard.”
Wheeler in the Morning’s ‘Transcona Girls’ was posted on 92 CITI FM’s YouTube account. Another video, titled ‘North End Boy’, was also posted on the station’s account.
‘Transcona Girls’ showed an animation depicting a woman with dark skin and lyrics and music set to the tune of The Beach Boys song ‘California Girls.’
“The North End daughters really like to stab you and steal your bike,” the song goes. “And the Wolseley girls with their hairy pits, they keep their girlfriends warm at night.”
Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie is one of the organizers of the protest.
Lavoie said she was shocked and hurt when she first saw the videos Monday.
“I was really disgusted,” Lavoie said. “Is this how they see women in our city? Is this how they see people in the North End?
"I live in the North End, I don’t reflect on myself that way,” Lavoie told CTV News.
Lavoie said the protest is an effort to show Winnipeggers there are people in this city who will stand up and tackle issues facing the community.
