REDMONTON
‘One protest just isn't going to cut it’: hundreds march against police brutality in Edmonton
 
© Ian Kucerak Demonstrators speak out against police brutality against Black people in Canada and worldwide during the Silence the Sirens march in Edmonton, on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Ian Kucerak/Postmedia

After the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, and following last week’s Fight for Equity demonstration in Edmonton, co-organizers Sarah Ross, 26, and Betty Abebayehu, 23, said they felt frustrated and compelled to take action.

“We just know that there’s a lot more work that needs to be done. One protest just isn’t going to cut it,” said Ross before the march, dubbed Silence the Sirens, began. The goal is to educate people and unify the black community and its allies with a positive, peaceful protest, they said.

It’s about getting policing officials to recognize the trauma experienced by black people, Indigenous people and racialized communities, Abebayehu said.

And, Edmontonians should expect to see continuous protest and other forms of political action for change, including the lobbying of city council, they said.

Police need to acknowledge there is a racism problem so that they can work towards addressing it, said Ross.

“We’re going to need them to open their eyes,” she said.

On Monday, Deputy RCMP Commissioner Curtis Zablocki was speaking at a news conference after Alberta’s police watchdog announced charges against two officers involved in a deadly 2018 shooting in Whitecourt. He said he didn’t “believe that racism is systemic through Canadian policing, I don’t believe it’s systemic through policing in Alberta.”

Earlier Friday afternoon, Zablocki walked back the comments . Also Friday, a group representing over 200 Alberta defence lawyers called for his resignation.  
© Ian Kucerak Demonstrators speak out against police brutality against Black people in Canada and worldwide during the Silence the Sirens march in Edmonton, on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Ian Kucerak/Postmedia

Attendees at the march Friday evening chanted “black lives matter” and “no justice, no peace” as they made their way from 109 St. and Jasper Ave., across the the High Level Bridge. The route took the march back north across the river to end at Churchill Square.

Abebayehu encouraged those who have the privilege to stand up for those who are vulnerable without facing any physical or political consequences to do so. That includes educating family members and co-workers and pressuring public officials for change.

Organizers acknowledged public health restrictions and safety concerns due to COVID-19, and encouraged attendees to wear masks.

“If the people of Minneapolis failed to stand up, worried about COVID-19,” Abebayehu began, “there would be no justice,” Ross said.
 
© Ian Kucerak Demonstrators speak out against police brutality against Black people in Canada and worldwide while crossing the High Level Bridge during the Silence the Sirens march in Edmonton, on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Ian Kucerak/Postmedia
lijohnson@postmedia.com