Dozens of people rallied at Mount Royal University on Friday, May 29 as a part of a province-wide day of action that was organized by the Alberta Federation of Labour.
The Fight Back Now campaign is taking a stance against Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party government’s agenda over several issues including two-tier healthcare, underfunding of public education, the abuse of the notwithstanding clause, rising affordability along with condemning coal mining in the Rockies.
The Mount Royal Faculty Association gathered in a peaceful protest with picket signs at the university’s East Gate as speakers voiced their concerns before making their way across campus.
“Workers are the lifeblood of this province,” faculty member Gini Weber shouted to the crowd. “Workers stand in solidarity today, six months ago when the teachers were forced back to work, and tomorrow and the next day and the one after. Today, the people of Alberta gather across the province with that single message — we will not stop fighting for our rights.”
Amid threats of separatism and budget cuts to AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped), picket attendees like Crystal Koch, the vice president of the Mount Royal Staff Association, spoke out for vulnerable Albertans over the UCP’s recent decisions.
Koch says she’s already seen the effects of Bill 12, which strips away certain financial rights from Albertans with disabilities, and Bill 9 which challenges and limits transgender identity.
“Our campus has gathered around those populations and is trying to be supportive. We’re told to do it quietly and under the radar. We’re definitely concerned.”
She added, “When you take away human rights from one group, you take it away from all groups. We’re here to speak up against that.”
The campaign hosted 20 other events across the province where thousands of workers and dissatisfied Albertans voiced their opinions and frustrations. The main rally took place in northeast Calgary in front of the office of MLA Mickey Amery.
Picketers like Koch encourage any Albertan to join in protest if they feel misrepresented by the provincial government.
“We’re not going away. We’re going to keep fighting, we’re going to keep speaking up, we’re going to keep educating the public on what this means for everyday Albertans,” said Koch.
“If you’re Albertan and you don’t see yourself being represented by this current government, you belong with us.”
