Anti-racism committee proposed in response to last year’s racist demonstrations in Red Deer

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No decision has been made yet, but she said she was told by the Committee of the Whole that they would be meeting to deliberate whether to move forward with a potential committee or not.

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Anti-racism committee proposed in response to last year's racist demonstrations in Red Deer

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Developed in partnership with Canadian Equality Consulting, she said the proposal to council is the result of extensive community engagement.

What sparked this action by the Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership was what she described as the racist and xenophobic demonstrations held in Red Deer in March 2025 outside the offices of Care for Newcomers and the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association.

During these demonstrations, a group of people displayed signs such as ‘Deport them all,’ and ‘White lives matter.’

Dashcam footage from an rdnewsNOW reader shows the group with their “White Lives Matter’ signs displayed in March 2025 by the downtown Red Deer Tim Horton’s. (Image Credit: Supplied)

Read more: Red Deer agencies disturbed after xenophobic and racist signs and symbols displayed on their doorsteps

“That left the community with a lasting impact because they targeted specifically those centres,” Datus-Hall said. “This means they knew the clients and the people who work there looked very different. The message they were sending was very targeted, and so this was a response to that.”

Through consultations, RDLIP identified systemic barriers and developed practical, community-informed recommendations that provide a roadmap for addressing racism through increased institutional capacity, public education, accountability, and cross-sector collaboration.

She said these points were identified through focus groups, which had discussions and conversations about racism in the community. These focus groups included residents such as Indigenous leaders, longtime Canadians, people of colour, and people who speak other languages. She added that non-people of colour also took part in the conversation.

After their presentation to council, Datus-Hall said they were walking back to their office and noticed someone flying the Confederate flag in downtown Red Deer.

“As a black woman, that sends a specific message that this work is very relevant and is important.”