Protestors in Brampton call out sexual harassment allegations against Coun. Gurpreet Dhillon
Published October 12, 2022 at 11:51 am
A group of protesters are speaking out about sexual misconduct and harassment allegations against Brampton Councillor Gurpreet Dhillon.
Doning pink clothing and wearing inflatable pig costumes, a group called 74 NOS have been taking to Brampton streets in what they say is a campaign to raise awareness of allegations made against Dhillon.
Protestors have been seen carrying signs reading “shame on you,” “protect our women” and “she said no 74 times.”
“This councillor is not fit for office and it’s time he did the right thing and stepped down,” 74 NOS said in a statement. “We will continue to use our voice to stand up for women and stand up for integrity.”
Dhillon was was accused by a woman of sexual misconduct and harassment while on a City of Brampton trade mission to Turkey in 2019.
He is running for re-election as Regional Councillor for Wards 9 and 10 in the Oct. 24 municipal election, despite council unanimously calling for Dhillon to resign following a report from the City’s integrity commissioner which stated the victim said “no” 74 times during the alleged harassment.
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Dhillon has denied the allegations, which were reported to Peel Regional Police (PRP). All information provided by the complainant was passed on to the Turkish police because the incident happened outside PRP’s jurisdiction.
Brampton Regional Councillor for Wards 9 and 10 Gurpreet Dhillon has been accused by a woman of sexual misconduct and harassment while on a City of Brampton trade mission to Turkey in 2019.
74 NOS has held several protests and says it is not promoting a particular candidate in Wards 9 and 10, “but rather raising awareness” about the allegations against Dhillon, according to their website.
Just this past Thanksgiving weekend, 74 NOS protesters held a rally near the Gore Meadows Community Centre on Sunday (Oct. 9) during advance voting for the municipal election.
The group says they were “followed, blocked, subject to harassment, and even pushing and shoving” by counter protestors and supporters of Councillor Dhillon during their demonstration.
74 NOS said Peel Regional Police were called and came to the community centre “when the women feared for their safety.”
74 NOS protestors gather in Brampton on Oct. 1, 2022. (Photo courtesy of 74 NOS)
“By this time the Dhillon people had fled,” the group said in a statement.
“It should be noted that our group consisted of women who were young, seniors, and all ages,” 74 NOS said, adding that the counter protestors “were all men.”
74 NOS says it consulted with security at the community centre “that the spot was acceptable for our protest.” Peel Regional Police did not immediately comment on the protest or the alleged incident.
City council passed a motion in August limiting the city’s ability to use taxpayer funds to settle lawsuits and legal matters dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct.
The changes were spearheaded by Mayor Patrick Brown after a whistleblower made allegations that Dhillon settled a $60,000 sexual assault settlement using city funds, calling the payments “hush money.”
Dhillion said in August he was planning legal action against Brown.
Six candidates have registered to try and unseat Dhillon in Brampton’s municipal election; Aneep Dhade, Azad Singh Goyat, Susan Joseph, Gagan Lal, Shoaib Mohammad, and Gurpartap Singh Toor.
Brampton voters go to the polls to decide the next term of council on Oct. 24.
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