The capital city’s decision to close down the Railway Coastal Museum is being met with a plea to pause the process from advocates.

Yesterday, a group of about two dozen people gathered outside the building to demonstrate against its closure.

The event was organized by folklorist Catherine Foley, who takes exception to the city making such a decision without consultation with the public.

She suggests that other railway stations across the province should be part of the process.

She says those stations should have a say in what happens with the building. Foley calls the notion that the museum is a city-building a “farce,” and argues that it is a national and international heritage site.

John Lannon, who has worked with museums for decades, and whose father and grandfather both worked with the railway, echoes Foley’s sentiments.

He explains that the railway was called “the people’s road,” and argues that the museum is “the people’s house.” He says it represents more than just St. John’s, and the whole province should be consulted on its future.

Both Foley and Lannon are calling on the city to halt the process and conduct consultations.