Article content continued

The city has received dozens of complaints about street preachers in London’s downtown, who often target women for wearing pants, using makeup, or going to work by hurling insults about sexual promiscuity or making accusations of child abandonment.

Coun. Tanya Park has experienced it herself.

“We know that people, when they experience that vitriol getting shouted at them, they don’t feel welcome in our downtown, and that’s a significant issue,” she said. “No one wants to be treated in that way.”

Katolyk said persistent verbal abuse in certain parts of the city drives people away from the area, and can affect business there, too.

And it may also tarnish London’s reputation.

John Winston, head of Tourism London, said he heard from an Ohio woman who had enjoyed her visit to London, but was disgusted by her experience with street preachers.

“She was appalled by the strident cat calling. It was very disconcerting,” Winston said.

Winston and Park say the bylaw is a good approach, walking the line between freedom of speech and the need to protect citizens from verbal abuse.

“We do live in a democracy, but at the end of the day, there’s a difference between sending a message and harassing people,” Winston said.

Politicians will debate the nuisance bylaw at the community and protective services meeting on Tuesday.

mstacey@postmedia.com

twitter.com/MeganatLFPress