From the archives: Viola Desmond receives posthumous apology and pardon in 2010 - Action News
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Nova Scotia

From the archives: Viola Desmond receives posthumous apology and pardon in 2010

Sixty-four years after her arrest, Viola Desmond received a posthumous apology and pardon at a ceremony at Province House in 2010.

Desmond's younger sister Wanda Robson was there for the historic event

Viola Desmond was arrested and dragged out of a New Glasgow, N.S., theatre for refusing to leave a whites-only section more than six decades before the pardon and apology were issued. (CBC Archives)

Viola Irene Davis Desmond received an apology from Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter and was granted a free pardon at ahistoric event at Province House on April15, 2010 64 years after she was arrested for sitting in the whites-only section of a movie theatre.in New Glasgow, N.S..

It was the first time a posthumous free pardon was granted in Canada.A person who is granted a free pardon is deemed to have never committed the offence.

The premier described it as a historic day and a chance to "right a wrong done to Mrs. Desmond and her family."

"This is also an opportunity for us to acknowledge the incredibly brave actions of a woman who took a stand against racism and segregation," Dexter said.

Lt.-Gov.Mayann Francis was present for the event, as was Desmond's younger sister Wanda Robson.

On Feb. 3, 2021,Nova Scotia symbolically repaid the fines and court costs incurred by Desmond in the 1946 courtcase.

This CBC report by Mari Ito aired on April15, 2010:

This content is being presented as it was originally created and may contain references or representations of people and cultures that audiences may find offensive or triggering.

Viola Desmond receives posthumous apology and free pardon in 2010

4 years ago
Duration 1:51
Viola Desmond was granted the first posthumous free pardon at a Province House event in 2010.

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