And so that’s where this story leaves off. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. ( Log Out / Viola Desmond was arrested at a movie theater for sitting in a seat designated for white people. Becoming the New Face of the $10 Bill . Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted. The Nova Scotia government will apologize and grant a pardon to the late Viola Desmond — considered the province's Rosa Parks. Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. On April 14, 2010, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Mayann Francis, on the advice of Premier Darrell Dexter, invoked the Royal Prerogative and granted Desmond a posthumous free pardon, the first to be granted in Canada. Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and Economy and Rural Development Percy Paris said “ With this pardon, we acknowledging the wrongdoing orth past,” and” we are reinforcing our stance that discrimination and hate will not be tolerated.” As the legacy of Viola continues to inspire people to stand up for what you believe in, Percy Paris’ message will resonate throughout Canada. Ms. Desmond, then 32, was on her way to Sydney, N.S., on Nov. 8, 1946, to sell imported beauty products when her car broke down. Today, Canadians are still recognizing the influence of Viola Desmond's bravery and ability to stand up for what is right. Viola Desmond pardon. 64 years later, in April 2010, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia invoked the ‘Royal Prerogative’ to posthumously pardon Viola Desmond, granting her full remedy and accepting that the conviction was an error. In Canada, the National Parole Board reviews pardon requests. The pardon was the result of the hard work of Viola's sister, who had advocated for the cause for nearly a decade prior. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter . On Nov. 8, 1946, a businesswoman named Viola Desmond was en route to Sydney, N.S., for a meeting when her car broke down in New Glasgow. Viola Desmond. Viola Desmond pardon. A free pardon is based on innocence and recognizes that a conviction was in error. It is an extraordinary remedy and is considered only in the rarest of circumstances. Historic Collection/Alamy (1914–65). On 14 April 2010, Lieutenant Governor Mayann Francis posthumously pardoned Viola Desmond, whose 1946 tax evasion conviction was the result of a racist policy. ( Log Out / Nova Scotia has apologized and granted a pardon to Viola Desmond, a black woman who was convicted for sitting in a whites-only section of a movie theatre in 1946. In 1946, Viola Desmond was wrongfully arrested for sitting in a whites-only section of a movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. The Viola Desmond pardon "marked the first time in Canada such a form of clemency has been posthumously awarded." It opened in the fall of 2019. Desmond, with the support of the local NAACP, appealed her conviction, which included a $20 fine and 30 days in jail. © Copyright 2021 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Charm says: February 25, 2013 at 10:44 pm Thanx This really helped me out with my project. Viola Desmond (1914 - 1965) was a Canadian Black Nova Scotian businesswoman who challenged racial segregation at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, NS, in 1946 when she refused to leave the whites-only area. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. A natural companion title to studies of Rosa Parks, and a valuable resource for Black History Month, Canadian history and social studies teachers. Click here to subscribe. Desmond remained guilty of defrauding the government of 1 cent until April 15, 2010 when she was granted a posthumous pardon. Premier Darrell Dexter stated, "This is a historic day for us to recognize the courageous act of Viola Desmond." In 2015, Robson said in an interview with the Cape Breton Post that of all the honours bestowed upon Desmond, the pardon of her conviction was the most important because it was evidence that she had done nothing wrong. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Change ), In the 1960’s, Viola Desmond was just one of the numerous people who was wronged by the racist actions of the 20th century. The story of her courageous refusal to accept an act of racial discrimination provided inspiration to a later generation of Blacks in Nova Scotia and in the rest of Canada. Viola Desmond was a teacher and an entrepreneur. Viola refused to leave and was dragged out by the police. A free pardon is based on innocence and recognizes that a conviction was in error. For those unfamiliar with Canadian … https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28137629-viola-desmond-s-canada The Nova Scotia government will apologize and grant a pardon to the late Viola Desmond — considered the province's Rosa Parks. Her actions brought attention to racial discrimination in Nova Scotia and in Canada. “This is a historic day for the province of Nova Scotia and a chance for us to finally right the wrong fone to Mrs. Desmond and her family. In Canada, pardons are of different types; Desmond was granted a ‘free pardon’ under […] We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner. "The arrest, detainment and conviction of Viola Desmond is an example in our history where the law was used to perpetrate racism and racial segregation," Dexter said. If my parents were here today, it would warm their hearts to see Viola recognized as a true Canadian hero.”. ( Log Out / In 1946, Viola Desmond was wrongfully arrested for sitting in a whites-only section of a movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. PARDON ME! Remembering Viola: Province pardons Desmond. Desmond's sister Wanda Robson was present during the respective ceremony and stated she was "numb with joy" at the prospect of her sister receiving what she deserved. On April 15, 2010, Desmond was granted a free pardon by Nova Scotia Lieut. The Viola Desmond pardon "marked the first time in Canada such a form of clemency has been posthumously awarded." Viola Desmond - formal apology issued and pardoned adgal. Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter greets Wanda Robson in New Glasgow, N.S., on Thursday, April 15. Viola Desmond will be featured on the Canadian 10-dollar bill beginning circulation in late 2018. And then even bigger things happened when it was announced that Viola Desmond would be on the $10 bill in Canada. Most Canadians are aware of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat on a racially segregated bus in Alabama, but Viola Desmond’s act of resistance occurred nine years earlier. Decades later, on April 15 2010, Viola Desmond was granted a free pardon by Nova Scotia Lieutenant-Governor Mayann Francis at a ceremony in Halifax. The government of Nova Scotia apologized and granted a special pardon to Robson's sister, the late Viola Desmond, a black woman jailed in 1946 for sitting in … Even though she had indicated when she was confronted at the theatre that she was willing to pay the difference between the two ticket prices and that her offer had been refused, the judge chose to fine her $26. In 2010, the Nova Scotia Government recognized this gross miscarriage of justice and posthumously granted her a free pardon. 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