CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Robert Mitchell attended a rally Tuesday in Charlottetown that called for him to step down as P.E.I.'s interim Liberal leader because of his decision to attend an anti-abortion march Sunday.
One woman after another took to the microphone near the cenotaph in Charlottetown to strongly criticize Mitchell’s decision to attend Sunday’s event organized by the P.E.I. Right to Life Association.
They also called for his interim leadership to be halted.
Rally organizer Sarah Roach-Lewis, a member of the Liberal Party of P.E.I. and a feminist, said the goal of the event was to demand Mitchell step down over his attendance at the anti-abortion march.
“I believe that any action … that looks as though it is even a small gesture of support to people who do not believe that women should have constitutional rights is something that requires action on our behalf,’’ she told the media.
“This is not even remotely representative of my personal values or the values that I understand the Liberal party to hold.’’
Mitchell applauded politely following each speaker who first questioned his credibility for attending the anti-abortion march and then called for an end of his short term as interim leader.
He was not offered an opportunity to speak at the rally but did field questions from the media following the event.
He said he will take the comments to heart, noting the event calling for his resignation was peaceful and respectful.
“It’s within all Islanders’ rights in a democratic process to ask for the resignations of all political members at any given time,’’ he said.
Mitchell said he wants to continue as interim leader and has the support of his caucus.
“I want to rebuild my party,’’ he said.
“I want to work with all Liberals. I want to work with the grassroots.’’
Mitchell said he will talk to other Islanders to gauge the level of support for him to continue as interim leader.
“On any situation, if I felt my leadership was compromised – that I couldn’t perform my duties – I certainly would step away,’’ he said.
Mitchell said he does not plan to attend any anti-abortion rallies in the future.
Mitchell told The Guardian Monday that he supports a woman’s right to choose.
On Tuesday, he emphatically reiterated his stance.
“I am pro-choice.’’
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