Anna Junker
Alberta’s justice minister is condemning the “sad losers” who took part in an apparent white supremacist rally Tuesday night in Edmonton.
At about 8 p.m., Edmonton police attended a “demonstration involving opposing groups” in a parking lot near 118 Avenue and 82 Street, spokeswoman Cheryl Voordenhout said in an email. There were about 100 people in attendance.
Voordenhout said while interactions between the groups were mostly verbal, officers had to separate some individuals who began physically fighting. A 39-year-old man was arrested and later released without charges.
According to CTV News , a group calling themselves “patriots” accused the other group as being “anti-fascists” while those on that side called the first group Nazis.
After about one hour, both sides left the area. No tickets were issues and no injuries were reported.
In a series of tweets Wednesday morning, Justice Minister and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu said he condemns any demonstration of bigotry and racism.
“Last night, a small group of sad losers organized what has been described as some as a white supremacist rally in a grocery store parking lot in North #YEG,” Madu said. “And while all Canadians have a right to free expression, I absolutely condemn any demonstration of bigotry and racism.”
He added he condemns any group that relies on race, ethnicity or colour of skin to discriminate against anyone and groups who seek to divide or encourage violence on the basis of race.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be divided on the basis of race, religion, or creed. I’m confident that the overwhelming majority of Albertans want nothing to do with such nonsense,” Madu said.
“And to any racists who seek to divide our great province, your hateful views are not welcome in Alberta.”
“White folks aggressively spitting ‘all lives matter’ inelegantly proves the point that Black, Indigenous & People of Colour’s lives have not yet been universally afforded equal value in our society. STOP IT,” Iveson said.
This latest rally comes after violence erupted at an anti-racism rally in Red Deer on Sept. 20. RCMP have since launched a criminal investigation .