(Sydney, NS) -- NDP MLA Gordie Gosse was in attendance at Province House today as the late Viola Desmond received an apology from the Province of Nova Scotia and a Free Pardon from the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Mayann E. Francis. Given only under extraordinary circumstances, a Free Pardon is based on innocence and recognizes that a conviction was in error.

“I have heard Ms. Desmond’s sister, Wanda Robson, tell this story on several occasions and I found today’s ceremony to be an emotional event,” said Gosse. “Viola Desmond is a hero for all Nova Scotians and I’m proud our province has taken this step to right the wrong done to her and her family.”

Viola Desmond of Halifax was an African Canadian wrongfully jailed and fined in 1946 for sitting in the white persons’ section of a New Glasgow movie theatre. Ms. Desmond passed away in 1965.

-30-

For more information;

Mark Laventure
Media Relations Officer
NS NDP Caucus
O: (902) 424-6984
C: (902) 497-5953
laventma@gov.ns.ca