Second person charged in alleged assaults at Red Deer anti-racism rally
Two people have now been charged with assault after three separate incidents during an anti-racism rally in Red Deer.
Red Deer RCMP said on Friday they have charged a 29-year-old Calgary woman with assault with a weapon in connection to the demonstration. Few details were provided.
The RCMP launched a criminal investigation days after an anti-racism rally turned violent on Sept. 20. The event, which was described as “a peaceful community discussion,” was crashed by counter-protesters who wore clothing emblazoned with logos for far-right hate groups like Soldiers of Odin and chanted “all lives matter.”
Investigators allege three separate assaults took place, the first of which occurred as organizers were setting up for the event. RCMP said they spoke with the victim upon their arrival.
The second incident took place during the rally. Mounties said they separated those involved and identified the suspect. A video of the incident was posted to social media on Sept. 21 and brought to the RCMP'S attention.
The video made police aware of a third incident, which RCMP said remains under investigation.
Taylor Michelle Mcnallie is the second person to face charges in relation to the alleged assaults. She is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Nov. 10.
Earlier this month, RCMP charged Trevor Lyle Roy, 42, of Penhold, with assault in relation to the first incident. He is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Nov. 17.
Mounties reiterated that people have the right to demonstrate.
“However, this does not mean unlawful behaviour will be tolerated,” the RCMP said in a statement. “The role of police is to ensure those who unlawfully interfere with or threaten the safety of any person or property will be held accountable in accordance with the laws of Canada.”
The RCMP has come under scrutiny for its handling of the September rally and comments made by Staff Sgt. Chris Smiley that widely circulated online. Smiley, when asked by a reporter about why the RCMP did not intervene when people were causing problems, said both sides have a right to be heard under Canadian law.
In a statement, RCMP said his comments were “widely misattributed.”