White poppies banned from P.E.I. market

The Charlottetown Farmers Market turned away people selling white poppies on Sunday for Remembrance Day.

Volunteers with the Island Peace Committee had arranged to hand out the controversial poppies at the farmers market for the second consecutive week. Committee members say the alternative poppies stand for peace and are also to remember civilians who die in war.

The white poppies have drawn an angry response from the Royal Canadian Legion, saying they detract from the original red poppy. Leo Broderick of the Island Peace Committee said that when group members arrived at the market on Saturday they were told they couldn't stay.

"We had been there the previous week, and people were very receptive to the white poppy a week ago Saturday," Broderick. said

"I think there were complaints this week. It was thought that it might affect business. So we took our poppies and went home."

Broderick said that for now, people will have to contact the Island Peace Committee directly to get a white poppy. 

No one from the Charlottetown Farmers Market could be reached for comment.