A Facebook photo that shows Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula beside a pregnant woman at a pro-life rally has gone viral.
Jangula, who is pro-life, attended Sunday’s anti-abortion demonstration on Cliffe Avenue in front of Driftwood Mall. Campaign Life Coalition organized this and other rallies across Canada as part of its annual Life Chain event.
Holding a sign that read “Jesus Forgives and Heals,” Jangula was photographed beside Stasia Hasumi, who had ‘Pro Choice’ written across her belly. Hasumi posted the photo on Facebook, which drew numerous comments. Some applaud Jangula for taking a stance, but others say he shouldn’t have voiced his opinion on this topic.
Jangula says Hasumi caught him off guard by raising her shirt just before a friend snapped the picture.
“She was standing back from me. I didn’t know she’d done that.”
He feels the incident detracts from issues such as taxes and housing affordability as the Oct. 20 election draws near.
The former police officer says he has spent his entire life working for people. He has volunteered with several service cubs, including the Lions, Kinsmen and the Knights of Columbus.
“How is that not caring about people?” Jangula said. “And the fact that I would spend one hour in quiet prayer with people all across the country, that somehow tarnishes everything that I’ve done…There’s an old expression, ‘If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything.’ I really believe that you have to stand up for what you believe.”
Jangula feels that Facebook provides a platform for anonymous people to attack others, as opposed to speaking eye-to-eye.
“What we seem to have lost in this country is the ability to sit down across a table and have a discussion, and disagree with each other, respectfully, and hear the other person.”
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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Hasumi couldnot be reached for comment.