Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest in Vegreville

Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest in Vegreville

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

A Black Lives Matter (BLM) Peaceful Protest was held on June 11 outside of the Town of Vegreville’s administration building with approximately 50 people in attendance.

Organizers Pailey Tegan Corbett and Jordan Ling wanted to point out that the protest is completely independent of the Town of Vegreville.

(Left-to-right) Organizers-Pailey Tegan Corbett and Jordan Ling. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Corbett said they were holding the protest to raise additional awareness about racism. “I have been following the BLM movement before the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. There have been black rights movements all through history and not too far in the past either. The death of George Floyd and the preceding deaths before his, that lead to the uproar we are currently seeing, is just the most recent event to lead the black rights movement. Since then, I’ve been actively sharing information on social media platforms as well as signing various petitions. I felt I wanted to do more than this.”

Corbett went on to say that racism and prejudice are present in any community. “Just because we are not a large urban area or it hasn’t been televised and reported that incidents of racist acts towards People of Colour (POC) does not mean that it’s not happening here as well. I think that because these events are happening in our world, our country, our province that is enough of a reason to fight for justice and rally for change.”

Corbett then said she believed racism is a learned behaviour which is combined with fear. “Throughout history and in current times racial stigmatization has been used as a tactic by media, police, and government agencies. For instance, the war on drugs was largely connected to racial stigmas and created an association, consciously or unconsciously, against POC. I believe that racism comes from a long history of racial abuse that can no longer be ignored.

I believe that events such as the rally’s and protests occurring all over the world serve to create awareness and to show how many people care and want change. This movement goes further than racial crimes against POC. It is about changing the way society and public institutions treat POC throughout their lives,” Corbett closed in saying. “Institutionalized racism is not something that will go away overnight. It is something that we as a community have to fight towards every day.”

Jordan Ling added that even if we don’t have the same level as racism as what is happening in the United States here; it is never too early to start a conversation. “It is never too early for us to notice what is happening and to make changes in our community and ensure that kind of stuff that happened in the US never happens here. It is easy to minimize the low level of racism instead of the big level,” Ling said.

Then citizens who attended shared why they participated in this protest. Bryan Worobec said as a teacher it is important for him to show support to marginalized groups they deal with every day at the school.

While Brad Dahr, who is the Pastor at Vegreville Seventh Day Adventist Church, said social justice is very important to them.

Ingrid Schulz mentioned we need to be anti-racism. “It is important to me that all people are treated fairly and equally.”

Sandra Ling said she thinks a protest like this starts the conversation and this leads to awareness, and awareness leads to education and change.

Jamie Simpson, who came for Fort Saskatchewan, said she came because it is important for black people to see that they are liked, wanted, and do belong.

Jessica Littlewood, former MLA for Fort Saskatchewan- Vegreville, said she felt showing support for community members no matter where they came from is important. “Also, I am really glad there are active items that organizers are looking for, such as talking about history, and they are asking for statements of solidarity and support. It is about more than just today, it is something substantial going forward.”

After this, Tim MacPhee, Mayor of Vegreville said in his address that no place is immune to discrimination and racism, Vegreville included. “We believe that people are our core. Our vision statement is we are a welcoming and inclusive community, and we are proud to continue to work with our residents to fulfill that vision. We respect efforts made by individuals and groups to address systematic racism, and we hope with the help of everyone in our community to be a leader in this province on this issue. No legislation is ever going to change racism. Racism has to be changed within your heart and by supporting people with the choices they are making.”