Black Lives Matter march in Saskatoon
Acknowledging white privilege and promoting equality were among the reasons participants in a Black Lives Matter march through downtown Saskatoon said they supported the movement on Saturday.
About 100 people gathered at the Vimy Memorial at Kiwanis Park to join the march through the downtown area to City Hall and the Saskatoon Police detachment.
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Before the march began, members of the group shared their reasons for participating in emotional and impassioned speeches.
A member of the Saskatoon Coordinating Committee Against Police Violence was among those who spoke and a Korean woman who was new to Canada also addressed the crowd.
Kyla and Garricks Elechi, who were part of the marching group, said they wanted to bring to light some of the issues faced by black people all over the world.
As an interracial couple, they said they have experienced prejudice and they wanted to raise awareness that black people were not treated fairly.
"I want my kids both to grow up and know that it's not acceptable to treat people a certain way just because you have prejudice against them," said Kyla.
"We need to have that because even in Saskatoon, maybe we aren't affected as much by police, I don't know, but I know people here don't have an understanding of what black people go through and about white privilege."
Garricks believes recognition of the issue would be the first step towards equality.
"It's what we do going forward that matters," he said.
"First of all it's understanding that yes, it does exist, then secondly it's; 'OK, what can I do as a person to make sure that I help equalize things?'" he said.
"So, it's all about equality."
Another march participant, Tendo Bosa, described Black Lives Matter as a community that recognized that society needed to change in order to progress.
"The perception is what needs to change universally," he said. "How we perceive those of different creeds or colours around the world [needs to change]."
"I guess this is a fresh look at how we can achieve that."
Organizers spread the word about the event on social media, urging participants to wear black tops and be professional and respectful to the general public.
"This is a PEACEFUL march to bring awareness in support of the multiple black lives that have been affected by the injustice and brutality of the police in Saskatoon and areas, Canada, United States and around the world," said a social media post advertising the event.
The march route was to travel down 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st Avenues, ending at City Hall and the Saskatoon Police station.
Organizers said they had obtained clearance from City Hall and Saskatoon police.
Correction : A previous version of this story had the wrong caption information for the picture of the Elechi family.(Jul 23, 2016 9:02 PM)
