“It is a privilege to learn about racism, rather than to experience it,” said central Alberta activist Keana Richards during an emotional speech given at Saturday’s protest in Red Deer’s City Hall Park. 

For Richards and many other people of colour, the recent protests in Red Deer have carried significance and shown that they are supported in the community as they ask to see change. 

Additional central Alberta activists to speak at the event included Dieulita Datus, Sadia Khan, Monybany Dau, Teresa Cardinal, Cheryl-Jamie Baptise, Kiana Salzsauler, Treyton Luker and Selemani Nshimiyimana. 

Each of these people addressed the crowd of well over 500 people who had gathered during the third protest in Red Deer in under a week, organized by social activist group Red Deer Against Racism (RDAR). 

Although each speaker carried the weight of racism differently, they each opened up about their burden and stood together to ask for the community’s help in lightening that load. 

 

Treyton Luker, an Indo-Canadian man, spoke out during the Red Deer Against Racism event. His son, Emmett (pictured with Treyton) is seen wearing a shirt that says, "Why won't you play with me?".

Luker, who identified himself as an Indo-Canadian, spoke on behalf of his son, Emmett. 

“I grew up here, and I went through some of the bullying and things associated with being a person of colour. I’ve started seeing it with my own son and I don’t want to see him go through the same things that I and many other people have. We have an opportunity to change some things now, and we have a voice now, and I think it’s important we use it,” Lulker said before the protest officially began. 

“It’s not that everyone is openly against people of colour, but a lot of people don’t realize what we go through and exactly what’s out there. I think that’s the big thing - we want to make people aware of what’s going on around them, how they can help us and how we can facilitate change, and what they can look for.”

Luker said this means actions such as speaking up against an injustice you see in the community or teaching your child about different races and cultures and teaching them acceptance of people who may look different than they are.

Monybany Dau, right, said he had never seen such solidarity for a single cause in Red Deer until Saturday's protest against racism.

For Dau, an African-American man who migrated to Canada from Cuba after he left his home country of South Sudan, this event was unlike any community event he had seen in Red Deer in the 20 years he’s lived here.

“I’ve never seen so many people in Red Deer before, coming for one cause. And not only for a cause, but a cause of injustice and for peace, and for lives that matter. For Black Lives Matter. To me, it’s historic,” Dau said. 

“With this support here, it means change is coming. It means people are fed up of our situations and they want to see change. Who doesn’t like peace? Who doesn’t like to live in harmony with neighbours and friends? If that’s what people are doing [this for], then I am happy. That’s why I’m here today.”

 

Dieulita Datus raises her fist during the anti-racism protest at Red Deer's City Hall Park, June 6th.

Datus, who was present at both the June 1st and June 5th protests, has spoken publicly about the work that needs to be done by allies and echoed these sentiments at Saturday's event during her passionate speech. 

“To my white brothers and sisters. You may not be the face of the system, but it’s your responsibility. We’re here to ask for change. We are not here for revenge, but we are here to make demands. You are responsible. Teach your children, teach your husbands, your wives, teach your partners. Teach your teachers. Ask your politicians. We are here and we won’t be silenced. Take your responsibility. Use your white privilege for good.”