(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

voices heard

Hundreds turn out for Peace Walk through downtown Red Deer

Oct 4, 2020 | 8:39 PM

“Today, we are going to have our voices heard,” said Red Deer Peace Walk co-organizer Callum Daniels ahead of Sunday afternoon’s event in the city’s downtown.

Daniels told rdnewsNOW it was difficult to be silenced on Sept. 20 by what he describes as white supremacist hate groups. The incident left a black mark on Red Deer, but Daniels reiterated that this is a city he truly believes is above racism.

Daniels, who spearheads Black and Indigenous Alliance and partnered with Red Deer Against Racism (RDAR) to organize Sunday’s Peace Walk, certainly was loud as he and approximately 200 others marched through the streets of the city’s core.

Chants of “Black lives matter,” “Indigenous lives matter,” “Trans lives matter,” and “Take back our stolen sisters and brothers” rang out from the crowd. At points, the group stopped to dance as Childish Gambino’s ‘This is America’ and Beyonce’s ‘Freedom’ blared.

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“It was a little intimidating and people have reached out to me saying they are scared, but this is what racialized people face every day,” said Cheryl Jaime, RDAR founder, as the crowd gathered in City Hall Park to end the event. “We are still fighting for equity because this is something that absolutely needs to change. If you are ever faced with any form of injustice, or someone is being discriminated against or bullied, please step in.”

The Peace Walk went on without incident as it meandered the streets until participants encountered a small group of agitators at Ross Street and 49 Avenue.

That was when RCMP stepped in to create a barrier with their bicycles in order for the march to proceed across the street to City Hall Park.

An event dubbed the ‘Patriot Potluck’ on social media started at 1 p.m. in Coronation Park where the Peace Walk began at 3 p.m.

There were no confrontations at the park with the two groups separated by more than 50 feet, and RCMP, along with a helicopter and drone surveillance, observed in large numbers.

“I think it went as smoothly as it could have today because organizers kept an open line of communication with us, which allowed us to liaise with Red Deer Emergency Services and the City to ensure this went off successfully,” S/Sgt. Marlene Brown told rdnewsNOW.

“We engaged district resources including use of the helicopter and drone surveillance. We felt it was in the best interests of residents and the participants.”

Brown wouldn’t say exactly how many RCMP members were on foot for the event, and added that the detachment has received zero complaints.

“As leaders, if we’re silent, we’re complicit, and that’s not healthy for our community,” said City Councillor Dianne Wyntjes, who was joined by colleagues Buck Buchanan and Michael Dawe at the event. “I haven’t [seen anything like this in the city before]. These are moments where we’re making history. To those who aren’t here today, listen to the stories and understand that people have different experiences and live lives that are very difficult. We must have leaders who join with others to listen and make changes against systemic racism.”

Wyntjes said the City must sit down with organizations in the short term to discuss productive ways to craft policy which shows the municipality is actively working against racism.

“The Peace Walk was very powerful and I’m really hoping this momentum continues into other communities,” said Catherine Robinson, a Stettler resident whose daughter is part Ojibwe. “Systems need to change and this is not okay. Racism is not okay. All lives can’t matter until Black lives and Indigenous lives matter.”

Edmonton MLAs Janis Irwin and David Eggen were also in attendance at the event. Mayor Tara Veer was not in attendance and did not provide a reason.