Plaque honouring Viola Desmond unveiled outside former Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow [VIDEO]

Bobby Taylor from Parks Canada looks at his work after installing a commemorative plaque honouring Viola Desmond on the side of the former Rosland Theatre where Desmond was arrested in Nov. 1946. Photo: Matthew Byard.

On Friday, a plaque was unveiled outside of the former Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow where Viola Desmond was arrested in 1946 for sitting in the whites-only section. The plaque was unveiled on behalf of Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC).

Rev. Dr. Peter J. Paris was one of the speakers at the unveiling cerermony. Paris was 13 years old and living in New Glasgow when Desmond was arrested.

“I clearly remember hearing my parents and others discussing the incident and lamenting the injustice inflicted on such a young fine businesswoman,”