Last Saturday alone, Calgary police estimated more than 4,000 people attended a Black Lives Matter vigil at Olympic Plaza in a turnout that Roberta Lexier, an associate professor of general studies at Mount Royal University, called "astounding." COVID-19, 2015 election potential catalystsLexier, whose research and teaching focuses on social movements, social activism and social change, said that from climate activism to women's marches, protests have been gathering momentum in Alberta for the last few years. But another remarkable hallmark of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations that are happening now, Lexier said, is that the messages are resonating — and resulting in some tangible changes. "So I think ... things are going to change one way or the other." Adora Nwofor, one of the organizers of Saturday's Black Lives Matter vigil, said while she's been heartened by recent protest turnouts, seeing Bill 1 on the horizon gives her pause.

Source: CBC News June 09, 2020 02:31 UTC