More anti-racism protests planned for Red Deer

On Friday, those who wish to show support are invited to City Hall Park during the noon hour for what organizers say will be a peaceful protest.

“Now is not the time to be silent'” reads a poster for the event.

“As a black woman, born in Zimbabwe, when I saw what happened to George Floyd, I thought this could be my son, brother, or friend, and it really hit home for me,” says Angie Chinguwo, who immigrated to Canada in 2006, and is co-organizing Friday’s event.

“I wanted to step up and speak up.”

Chinguwo says between herself, family and friends, it’s a weekly occurrence that at least one person shares a story about a recent experience involving racism.

“I believe it’s more dangerous because it’s not on the surface,” she says of racism in Red Deer and Canada.

“This protest is going to be an eye-opener. We do have people coming on Friday who have experienced racism in our community, be it in our streets, our schools, or our boardrooms.”

She says to anyone who doesn’t understand why people are chanting ‘Black lives matter,’ “Try walking in somebody else’s shoes.”

Chinguwo says her children, who were born in Canada, should be able to grow up and feel like they are at home here.

Participants in Friday’s protest will hear speeches, and then kneel and raise their hands during a moment of silence, followed by 30 minutes walking through downtown. Chinguwo says it will remain peaceful, adding that several RCMP members have been invited to attend.

On Saturday, Red Deerians are invited to ‘peacefully show up for black lives’ at City Hall Park starting at noon.

Masks and physical distancing are strongly encouraged for both protests.

Meantime, Red Deer’s Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) Network is in full support of the peaceful demonstrations.

“We are excited to see our whole community stepping forward, acknowledging this systemic issue, and declaring that it isn’t acceptable,” says Co-chair Deirdre Ashenhurst. “It is important that this message is not limited to a group activity, but is carried forward by individuals in our everyday lives. Racism is not limited to the horrible headlining incidents, it is systemic and prevalent in our daily interactions.”

There are several local agencies and groups working with an anti-racism purpose, she notes, and the City is one of 80 signatories nationally to the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities.

“Our network is dedicated to improving policies against racism, promoting human rights and diversity =, and creating societies without fences, where everyone has an equal chance at participating in its economic, political, social, cultural and recreational life, and to thrive there,” she says.

“People in Canada experience racism everyday; denying that racism, and discrimination occur in Canada, allows the problem to fester.”

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

More anti-racism protests planned for Red Deer

What's Trending