As the death of George Floyd continues to spark outrage across the world, a former St. Albert resident has planned a digital rally that is attracting global support.
Social activist Jesse Lipscombe has organized Be the Change, a digital rally to support people of colour in Edmonton and around the world.
The anti-racist rally is planned for Tuesday at 6 p.m. Posted last Sunday, May 31, it attracted more than 3,500 members on its Facebook page as of Monday.
“Our message is racism is real and alive, and our voices are muted and unheard. Our voices are diminished. This rally gives us the opportunity to make change and elevate the conversation,” said Lipscombe in a telephone conversation from his Edmonton home.
The global fury was ignited after Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after pleading for help as a white police officer pressed his knee against his neck, pinning him to the ground, for more than eight minutes. A video of the event was posted online and Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder.
The world was stunned. Familiar with eerily similar incidents, Lipscombe's response was one of frustration.
“That level of shock and fear is what we live with every day – the fear in our minds of how we are viewed in North America.”
For more than a week, violent protests have swept major cities throughout the United States. Lipscombe, however, is focused on non-violent discussion.
The event was originally scheduled to take place at Edmonton City Hall as an in-person rally, but was substituted for a virtual format after 1,300 people responded in the first seven hours of being posted.
“We were not expecting this kind of response and were overwhelmed by the amount of support,” Lipscombe said. Stepping in line with Alberta Health Services' (AHS) measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, he switched to a digital format. AHS prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people.
“Let’s show the world how we can peacefully protest, how we can peacefully come together in solidarity and make a change.”
Kaeleigh MacDonald, who assisted Lipscombe in promoting the message, noted on her Facebook page, it is about “less resistance, less risk and more impact.”
While several Be the Change Facebook followers felt the virtual format would lessen the impact, Lipscombe responded by noting the event organizers are trying to do their due diligence for COVID-19, and that the event could be in addition to in-person rallies.
"This won’t detract from the message and people are excited to hear about it," he noted.
The rally also hosts a dozen or so guests that include April Eve, a medicine spirit dancer; Ethan Woodham, a mental health advocate; Chris Katiiti, a comedian; Ahmed Ali, a Somali poet; and Antonia Mohamed, a pastry chef.
“We’ll be home, healthy, safe and knowing we made a difference.”
