Hundreds of people packed Jubilee Plaza on June 6 to join a solidarity march.
The YMM March comes after the death of George Floyd, who was killed in police custody in Minneapolis.
The event started with speakers who talked about their experiences with racism, then people took to the streets.
Participants marched with their homemade signs held high from Jubilee Plaza down MacDonald Ave. and back up Franklin Ave.
Following the march, more people took the microphone to share stories of racial injustice, including Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
Chief Adam recently accused Wood Buffalo RCMP of assault and “manhandling” his wife.
Mayor Don Scott and some members of council also spoke about how racism exists in our region.
Councillor Jane Stroud spoke, ending her speech with “All Lives Matter” triggering the crowd to chant “Black Lives Matter.”
One of the organizers said the move allows people to see how politicians view structural racism.
“We need to take stock of the politicians we just let do whatever they want and kind of challenge them when they say ‘All Lives Matter’ at a ‘Black Lives Matter’ solidarity march.”
Stroud reached out to MyMcMurray after the solidarity march and said she will enroll in an anti-opression training course by the end of the week.
“I want to apologize for an error in my speech today at the YMM Solidarity March. […] Using those words was evidence that I still have a great deal of introspection and self-education to accomplish. I recognize these words were hurtful and do not reflect the pain and suffering endured by far too many in our region. I can do better, and I will do better. I was proud to attend the march and am committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment in our region – and to helping to make the changes necessary to accomplish that goal.”
The same organizer said the energy and turn out surprised her.
“It seems to me that people truly understand that what we’re fighting for is not just a couple fluff pieces about Black Lives Matter. We want actual structural change to take place in this town and throughout the province.”
Another organizer called the it a “marker of change” that’s coming in Canada.
Throughout the afternoon people could be heard chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “No justice. No peace.”
When it comes to being an ally, both organizers said it’s about educating ourselves.
“We need you guys to help us. To bolster our voices because you guys have the voices of power. Both of us together can be very, very strong and we can make the kind of change that we want to see.”
