A group of protesters came to uptown Flin Flon Monday with one goal in mind - eradicating racism and ending unjust violence.
Protesters held an event at Pioneer Square, including a march up and down Main Street, to rally against racism, brutality and prejudice. The event, named “Justice for the Injustice” by organizers, was inspired by similar protests throughout Canada and the U.S.
The idea of the protest began when a pair of women, unable to head to similar protests elsewhere, began planning online to hold an outing in Flin Flon. Cassandra Porteous and Hailey Steiner. Starting as a single Facebook status, the idea spread, gaining traction among Porteous’ friends and friends of friends.
By the time the rally began at noon Monday, around 70 people had arrived, including MLA Tom Lindsey and other community leaders. Members of Flin Flon’s city council or Flin Flon RCMP were absent from the protest.
“I think it went great. I’m just glad people showed up and that nobody came to talk trash. I’m happy so many people had the same idea, to support the same thing,” Porteous said.
While the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others are geographically far from Flin Flon, Porteous said there must still be awareness of undue police violence, racist attitudes and injustice. Events have been held in Flin Flon in the past to commemorate far-off events - each year, the Women’s Resource Centre holds a vigil in remembrance of victims of the Montreal Massacre, while a group of Flin Flonners also held vigils in memory of victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting.
“The way that they’re handling this, the deaths, the way they’re trying to cover them up, that’s the problem,” Porteous said.
Protesting during COVID-19 may be seen by some as risky, but marchers took precautions to avoid illness. Many arrived wearing non-medical masks and most attendees socially distanced during the march and speeches. Others drove alongside the march, honking their car horns in solidarity.
Following the march, organizers led a kneel-in as a protest, lasting for eight minutes and 46 seconds - the amount of time Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on the neck of suspect George Floyd, killing him.
Porteous and other leaders used a bullhorn to be audible for the crowd, later handing that bullhorn off to members of the crowd.
Murray McIntyre said, as a man with Indigenous children and a black grandson born in Minnesota, his first thought when he saw the infamous George Floyd tape was about his family.
“I know that if we don’t fight back and end racism, that could be my grandson one day,” he said, adding in comments about the current American presidential administration and its inability to handle police violence and protests.
“Fascism has been on the rise in the U.S. since before the last election. When I saw the current president inciting violence at his rallies. You cannot elect a racist president and expect him to end racism. We cannot elect a fascist and expect him to end fascism - and police brutality is fascism.”
Lindsey said his position as a northern leader had given him a better understanding of northern racial issues.
“As an MLA, it’s an interesting position for me - I am a white man representing a riding that is probably 75 per cent non-white. It’s been an honour to meet so many people and hear their stories. That’s helped me, when I’m in the Ledge, to stand up and fight for what’s right.”
Other speakers mentioned their own experiences with racism or prejudice. No counterprotesters were seen, either along Main Street or Pioneer Square.
“I know how people love to argue in Flin Flon, but that wasn’t here. Not one person who was harassing people online was here today. We’re not here to debate people on basic human rights. We’re here to spread awareness,” Porteous said.
“I heard a lot of good things, there were plenty of people who were really glad somebody put this on. I know there are a few people who weren’t happy about us bringing the Indigenous side in, that they wanted to make it strictly Black Lives Matter - which I completely understand, Black Lives Matter is number one right now, but with our town being heavily Indigenous, let’s try and bring light to people who live here.”
When asked about what would stand out about the rally most, Porteous said she was drawn to the sense of unity and community the rally brought.
“Everybody showing up, chanting, marching… that’s going to be number one,” she said.
