Protesters demonstrating against the anti-Islamophobia Motion 103 were met by counter-demonstrators outside Windsor City Hall Saturday afternoon.
Police stepped in to de-escalate tensions after the two sides got into a heated argument.
The Canadian Coalition of Concerned Citizens, a Montreal-based group, started the protests, saying it stands against M-103 because it is a step toward the acceptance of Sharia Law in Canada.
Sharia Law is a code of religious and moral conduct in the Islamic religion.
The coalition, which held similar rallies across the country on Saturday, says the motion would repress free speech by criminalizing criticism of Islam.
Counter protestors who showed up to the rally say the group was spreading Islamophobic views.
Members of the community express their views to one another over M-103 at Windsor City Hall on March 4, 2017. (Photo by AM800's John Hutton)
Nathan Prindler says he is against Motion 103, though for different reasons than the Canadian Coalition of Concerned Citizens is.
"Personally, I have issues with M-103 that do not have to do with a fear of Sharia oncoming," says Prindler. "It is more to do with the divisiveness it causes, which this is evidence of."
Members of the community express their views to one another over M-103 at Windsor City Hall on March 4, 2017. (Photo by AM800's John Hutton)
Mark Lefebvre says he supports M-103.
"It is really sad to see violence and hate crimes being perpetrated, especially in a country like Canada," he says. "There are a lot of people who remain silent but are believers in peace and love and inclusion and I just want everybody to hear that message."
Lefebvre says M-103 promotes nation-wide inclusiveness.
"I think we are the luckiest people in the world," says Lefebvre. "Canada is an amazing country and I am not afraid to have an intelligent conversation about our laws and our culture."
If passed, Motion 103 will see parliament condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination.
Motions put before the House of Commons are not classified as bills, therefore M-103 will not change Canada’s existing laws.