Anti-racism rally in Saskatoon to honour George Floyd, others who have lost their lives
Braydon Page said he has heard Canadian racism compared to a fine dust that coats its surroundings — everywhere, always there, but easy to miss if you're not looking for it.
Page is the organizer behind a Thursday march in Saskatoon, which is dedicated to the memory of George Floyd and other people of colour who have died in police encounters.
"Even though we live in Canada and we're known as a very inclusive country, there's still racism that goes on everywhere," he said.
"From myself, as a member of the black community, my family, family friends that are Indigenous and First Nations, we've all experienced it and we all know what it's like."
Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man and father, died on May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, pinned Floyd's neck pinned under his knee for more than eight minutes.
In a video of the incident, which has been shared across the globe, Floyd can be heard telling the officer he can't breathe several times before falling silent. Chauvin and three other police officers have now been charged in Floyd's death.
Demonstrations in Floyd's memory have sprung up across the United States and the globe, with demonstrators speaking out against systemic racism and calling for reforms around policing in America.
"Thank God for camera phones. We can actually now see [racism in action]," said Maxwell Abaga, one of the people participating in the march. "We are watching and we are seeing everything. ... You can't hide any more."
Abaga said his big concern was safety, which is why he was handing out masks prior to the march, to mitigate risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Abaga has experienced racism and said he still doesn't know how to put it into words. He calls experiencing racism "unique," something he hadn't experienced when he lived in Nigeria.
"I felt shame. I think that's the right word to use," Abaga said. "I pretty much wasn't doing anything. I was just being my regular self."
About 1,000 people had expressed interest in the March on Facebook. Page said he hopes the march sends the message that people are united in the fight against racism and police brutality.
Page said marchers are calling for a more equal and just society on a whole. He said he's had people from across Saskatoon reach out.
"Regardless of race, age, whatever, there are so many people that are wanting to come out, speak their voice and show support," he said.
Page said the demonstration will be peaceful and that he has been in communication with the Saskatoon Police Service, which has been helping organizers get ready.
"They are really now trying to help us and assist us in getting our voice out there," Page said.
Page said he reached out to Saskatoon police because he was aware of threats of vehicular violence against marches across North America, and did not want harm to come to anyone marching in Saskatoon.
"It's not the police's thing. It's our thing. It's our time to unite," he said, just before the march was scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon. "The only thing they're doing is clearing the roads, making sure we're safe."
The police service confirmed it had made contact with the organizers.
"We recognize and support that everyone has the lawful right to assembly, so long as it remains peaceful,'' Saskatoon police said in a news release.
Police reminded those participating of the existing public health order in place regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Participants are encouraged to maintain physical distance, wear a mask and practice safe hand hygiene," police said.
The event is set to start at Saskatoon City Hall, with the march making its way to Saskatoon Police Service headquarters before continuing on to Kiwanis Memorial Park.