Anti-racist activists determined to hold Innisfail event
Despite violent threats that Mounties say they’re closely monitoring, anti-racist activists vow they’ll carry through with plans to hold a gathering in Innisfail on Saturday.
Social media and email threats targeting those planning an informational event discussing bigotry against various minorities in the town 115 kilometres north of Calgary continue to mount as the weekend approaches.
But after a proposed march through the town was postponed earlier this week following a local backlash, those organizing and planning to attend the gathering say they won’t be deterred this time.
“We’re always getting threats like this, these people always fight against anything good,” said Taylor Mcnallie, with the group Rural Alberta Against Racism and who grew up as a Black female in central Alberta.
“But we’re definitely heading up to Innisfail to support Brittany … I think there’ll be hundreds of people, it’s being shared everywhere.”
She was referring to Brittany Bovey, the Innisfail resident who’s organizing Saturday’s gathering after experiencing what she calls considerable anti-first Nations racism while attending university in Lethbridge.
Mcnallie said she’s received violent threats involving firearms, and others have appeared and been shared on social media and by email.
“The first to loot, the first to riot, the first to damage property should be beaten f-----g senseless,” stated Jason Wright on Facebook.
An email sent to this reporter by someone claiming to live on a ranch near Innisfail threatened to have journalists and protesters gunned down for organizing “an anti-white march” meant to “prove to us the superiority of the African races.”
“We should be calling in private security from Caroline, have the boys oil their machine guns, bring them to town and line them along
Main Street, to ensure these rabble rousers get … a ton of hot lead, if they create a disturbance or get out of line,” the person wrote.
“Perhaps the liberal media supporting minorities should get the same treatment.”
The email was forwarded to Alberta RCMP, whose spokeswoman said they’ve been tracking the sentiment while also keeping an eye on organized, far-right wing groups.
“RCMP is aware of the inflammatory comments/backlash in relation to this demonstration. We have been monitoring and have met with organizers,” Cpl. Laurel Scott said in an email, adding police will attend Saturday’s event.
“Our role is to preserve the peace, protect life and property, and enforce the law.
“This includes protecting protesters’ rights to peaceful, lawful and safe demonstration. We are hoping for a peaceful demonstration.”
Bovey, 23, said she has concerns about a backlash that could materialize at Saturday’s gathering.
“I am worried about a counter protest,” she said.
But the gathering, she added, is meant to “just reinforce a peaceful discussion … I am confident in the organization/logistics we now have set in place.”
On Tuesday, Innisfail town council voted unanimously to support Saturday’s event, calling it a needed discussion to address racism present in many communities.
And Premier Jason Kenney commended anti-racist activists on the same day.
But some in the town of 8,000 insist activists aren’t welcome there, calling it insulting, a COVID-19 hazard and a danger to property.
“Stay home with your virtue signalling. And be warned anyone who loots, burns or does anything criminal, we are also prepared to defend and look after our little community,” Craig Shand stated on Facebook.
“Please do not use our washrooms, eat at our restaurants. We will be watching.”
Peter Downing, an organizer for the secessionist group Wexit, stated on Facebook there’ll probably be counter-protests, adding “we don’t take kindly to left-wing terrorists in these parts.”
Downing said Innisfail’s town council “sold out” good Albertans by welcoming activists.
Mcnallie said her group also still plans on holding educational sessions in small towns around Alberta starting Sunday in Cochrane, but admitted the angry backlash has her concerned.
“If I said I wasn’t a bit fearful, I’d be lying to you,” she said.
But the woman said Innisfail council’s move is a step in the right direction and sets an example for other small towns.