Rally brings people from all backgrounds together to fight to end racism

CALGARY -- A big crowd turned out Saturday, to march from the Multicultural Centre through the city’s downtown to Galt Gardens as part of the One Community, Together peace rally against racism. Former University of Lethbridge Pronghorn men’s hockey player Evan Wardley organized the rally to coincide with Canadian Multiculturalism Day, with help from various places like the City of Lethbridge, where human resources specialist in diversity and inclusion Tymmarah Mackie assisted. The goal was to bring together people from different backgrounds to show that while racism remains a problem in Canada, the Lethbridge community is committed to stomping it out. Wardley, a black hockey player from Vulcan who’s played various levels of hockey in Lethbridge over the years, says it’s about seeing everybody as equal and treating them with respect.

“It’s about looking around and not judging someone just because of how they look or what they’re wearing. You’re accepting them for who they are, and that’s the message I want to stress going forward” Wardley said. It was the third large-scale demonstration in Lethbridge since the death of George Floyd in the United States, which sparked protests around the globe.“Racism for sure is an issue in Canada, I don’t think we talk enough about it,” Wardley stated.

“I know for myself growing up I dealt with it, my sister dealt with it, there are so many people here in this community that have dealt with it, but haven’t had a voice or a way to express themselves for so many years.”