Pictured on the right, a person of colour – and a member of the Walk for Freedom Rally – asks Black Lives Matter and Antifa why were they shouting down fellow Indigenous and Black people who were attending the Walk for Freedom Rally.
EDMONTON – Even though Black Lives Matter (BLM) said they weren’t going to hold a counter rally against the Walk for Freedom group at the Alberta Legislature Feb. 20, they showed up and shouted them down.
BLM and Antifa shouted at the Walk for Freedom members who had gathered peacefully on the steps of the Legislature. At one point, when BLM and Antifa were shouting at Indigenous and Black members from the Walk for Freedom group, a person of colour shouted back asking them why were they attacking fellow Black and Indigenous people at the Walk for Freedom rally.
Black Lives Matter YEG Chapter had posted on Facebook on Feb. 18 that they were not going to attend the counter-protests at the Alberta Legislature on Feb. 20.
“This decision is based on concerns for the safety of both organizers and protesters; due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, current restrictions, as well as recent public assaults against Black Muslim women,” said BLM YEG on Facebook.
Misty, one of the Walk for Freedom members, went to the area where counter protesters BLM and Antifa were, and welcomed them telling them they are all fighting for freedom.
Misty, from the Walk for Freedom group, approaches and welcomes counter protesters Black Lives Matter and Antifa on Feb. 20 at the Alberta Legislature.
The Walk for Freedom group were at the Legislature Saturday to protest against continued COVID-19 lockdowns. A freedom convoy of about 100 semis and vehicles travelled from Lethbridge to Calgary and then to the Alberta Legislature on Feb. 20. In addition, they held peaceful protests in Medicine Hat, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge and other cities in Alberta against continued COVID-19 lockdowns.
Antifa is a left-wing anti-racist political movement.
Black Lives Matter is a decentralized political and social movement that protests against incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against black people.
Walk for Freedom is a right-wing group. They are fighting against forced lockdown of businesses and churches during COVID-19. Several pastors spoke at the event.
Opponents of the Jericho March – held by the Walk for Freedom group after meeting at the Legislature – condemned the group’s use of torches saying it’s the same torches used by white supremacists in the U.S.
NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley tweeted that the Walk for Freedom group is spreading hate.
Today, outside of the Federal Building, we saw people gather under the guise of protesting COVID-19 measures.
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) February 21, 2021
Many in attendance then lit torches and proceeded to march around downtown Edmonton. These marches are intended to intimidate, they intend to spread hate. #ableg 1/3
The Walk for Freedom organizers, however, say people are reading too much into the use of torches, adding context to suit their narrative. The Walk for Freedom group say the torches symbolize truth, life, hope and the regenerative power of the fire.
Walk for Freedom produced a song summing up their rally saying they are fighting against tyranny that our forefathers fought against in two World Wars. The song is by Big Jon with vocals by Benita Pederson. It was recorded edited and produced by Noble Savages (Derek Storie).
“Things fell right into place,” said the organizers. “Then this song happened and put together with love and passion. Our fight for this beautiful land we call home. We are one tribe called Canada. Proud of you all and blessed to call you all family!”
One of the pastors speaking at the Walk for Freedom rally, Dawid Pawloski, was arrested. His brother, Artur Pawloski, lead Pastor at Calgary’s Street Church, led the Jericho March around the Alberta Legislature grounds in Edmonton Saturday night. Artur said that Dawid was walking away when Edmonton Police arrested him. Artur and Dawid are from Poland and say they are fighting against Communism and tyranny, having experienced it firsthand in that Eastern Country.
Looks like they’re arresting someone at the #AbLeg #yegprotest and called for backup? pic.twitter.com/M1V8DeDA6h
— Chris Hubick (@hubick) February 20, 2021
–reporter@albertapressleader.ca
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