Abbotsford gay rights rally highlights education

A large rally is being held in Abbotsford for to protest the local school district's dropping of a civil rights course. Dec. 6, 2008.

Saturday's damp weather did not stop a group of determined advocates from heading to the suburbs for a protest.

A large rally is being held in Abbotsford over the local school district's dropping of a civil rights course.

Buses destined for the rally left downtown Vancouver earlier this morning.

It's been tagged the Social Justice Rally.

Jennifer Breakspear of Vancouver's gay drop-in centre says Abbotsford youths are disappointed that the Ministry of Education's Social Justice 12 course is not being offered in the Abbotsford school district.

She says the youths want to draw attention to the lack of diversity in the education system.

The Social Justice 12 course teaches social justice and civil rights issues, and does not just focus on gay rights.

The school district maintains it did not have sufficient chance to evaluate the elective program.

With a report from The Canadian Press