Protesters who gathered to voice their displeasure about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools removed and destroyed a Pride flag that had been affixed to the side of the parkade at the Alberta Teachers’ Association headquarters in Edmonton.
As part of an orchestrated, nationwide effort dubbed by organizers as the 1 Million March for Children, more than 1,000 protesters gathered outside the Edmonton ATA headquarters on Sept. 20. Hours after the protesters had concluded their demonstration and march around the neighbourhood, and most of the protesters had left the area, Association staff witnessed a small group of individuals running away from the ATA’s parkade dragging along the Association’s 20-foot long Pride flag, which had been affixed to the parkade. The perpetrators ripped the flag apart, stomped on it, then threw it in the garbage.
The following week the Edmonton Police Service posted a news release seeking information about two suspects in the “mischief incident believed to be hate-motivated.” No further information was available as of press time.
Competing messages
The protest attracted hundreds of counter-protesters. Separated by dozens of police officers, the two groups occupied opposite street corners and spent upwards of two hours engaging in sign waving, shouting matches (even some shoving) and, in the case of the protesters, amplified speeches. The scene elicited horn honking from passing motorists and backed up traffic as participants spilled over into the driving lanes.
Protest signs included messages such as “Let our children stay innocent,” “Education not indoctrination” and “Uphold parental rights.” Counter-protest messages included “Protect our trans children,” “Don’t be your child’s first bully” and “Keep hate out of schools.”
Protest co-ordinator Benita Pedersen emphasized the protesters’ message about parental rights.
“What we need the schools to do, again, is respect the preferences of the parents,” she said.
Counter-protest organizer Julia Clifford expressed regret that such a protest could be happening in this day and age.
“It breaks my heart that we are still, in 2023, fighting for all our children to be honestly truly who they are.”
Nationwide protest
Organized by the groups Family Freedom and Hands Off Our Kids, similar protests took place in dozens of communities across the country.
In Calgary, 2SLGBTQ+ advocate Reanna Teske commented that protesters and counter-protesters had similar messaging.
“Maybe they have a different definition of what love and support is, because obviously we’re both screaming ‘leave our kids alone’ and that’s why I really think that it’s misinformation, and we really have to challenge that.”
Most protests across the country took place at or near government buildings. The Edmonton protest was different in that it targeted the headquarters of the provincial teachers’ organization. Veteran ATA staffers recalled that the last time the Association was the target of a protest was in 2002 during a provincewide teachers’ strike.
ATA president Jason Schilling described the Sept. 20 protest as an example of homophobia and transphobia.
“Using parental consent as camouflage, this rally was part of a co-ordinated strike across North America to promote misinformation, intolerance and hate toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as well as toward teachers, who work to protect the safety and well-being of all students,” Schilling said in a statement.
“We must demonstrate collective and unwavering support to keep schools safe for all kids.”
David Parker speaks out
Take Back Alberta bills itself as a grassroots organization that is aiming to take political power away from the ruling elite that “have taken advantage of everyday people.”
Leader David Parker was involved in organizing the Calgary 1 Million March for Children. Here is a portion of a speech he delivered during the protest on Sept. 20.
“I tell you this: give me 10,000 people who are willing to sacrifice their time and we will take back all of Alberta. We will drive this toxic ideology out of our schools if we have to fire every principal in the province to do it. We will drive them out of our school administrations. We will drive them out of our bureaucracy and we will not do it violently. We will do it with democracy.”
Parker says his organization intends to take over the UCP board at the party’s upcoming convention and also has its sights set on the municipal elections of 2025, during which it intends to populate Alberta school boards with its own candidates.
Peeling back the curtain of the 1 Million March for Children
A Q&A with political scientist Duane Bratt, Mount Royal University, Calgary
Is populism an appropriate term to describe the actions and messages of 1 Million March organizers and Take Back Alberta?
While populism is often seen in economic terms, a broader definition would see the 1 Million March as a populist movement.
What are the defining characteristics of populism?
Populism is a perspective that advocates putting power in the hands of the people rather than the elites who control politics and society. It focuses on the differences between two homogenous and antagonistic groups, the “pure people” and the “corrupt elite.” Elites mean something different to different people. In this case, teachers, principals and the “left” are the elites.
What is behind terms like “parental rights”?
It is code. Who can be opposed to parental rights? It is really an attack on the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
How can populism be effectively countered?
It can be difficult. Populism divides society and creates “good” and “evil” — offering simplistic solutions. It can be countered through truth and evidence (which in a world of misinformation and alternative facts is tough), standing up for the rights of minorities and withstanding pressure from a small and vocal group.
