#CANADA: #Alberta Premier Condemns "Racist" Rally At Legislature

[world politics news]

The convergence of people protesting everything from Alberta's COVID-19 restrictions and the imprisonment of a local church pastor, to racism, at the provincial legislature last Saturday was a tense meeting that ended with at least one person in police custody.

The crowds began to gather around 2 p.m. in Edmonton just when an anti-racism rally was scheduled to take place.

Within hours, a group called Walk for Freedom protesting COVID-19 public health measures had marched to the government grounds, those at the front carrying a banner that read "protecting our civil liberties" and burning torches.

48 hours later, Premier Jason Kenney took to Twitter to condemn the rally and some racist elements that had been promoting it.

"While Albertans value the constitutionally-protected freedoms of speech & assembly, they also believe in the dignity of every human being, and have no time for voices of division & hate or the symbols that they represent."

I understand this rally incorporated an image apparently taken from the notorious 2017 torch rally, which was an explicitly white supremacist event. Prominent racists promoted Saturdays protest at the legislature. I condemn these voices of bigotry in the strongest possible terms." 

Kenney received criticism for waiting 48 hours before speaking out against the rally, which was condemned by other political parties and political leaders."

Former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, Leader of the Opposition New Democrats, tweeted:

"Jason Kenney was asked why he didn't speak against the protests this weekend that featured racist torches. He said he didn't want to comment on something that was about him. Let that sink in.

Leadership means standing up for your beliefs, standing up to those that spread hate."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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