Akisa Mukaga and her mother, Angelina Ataaparchu, lead the Black Lives Matter protest through downtown Grande Prairie (photo by Liam Verster)

By Liam Verster

Black Lives Matter Movement

100 people gather for Black Lives Matter protest in Grande Prairie

Jun 21, 2020 | 6:00 AM

A Black Lives Matter Protest, organized through Instagram by 13-year-old Akisa Mukaga, saw a crowd of about 100 people gather at the field outside the Montrose Cultural Centre on Saturday, June 20.

Though it was a much smaller turnout than the Black Lives Matter protest held on the same spot on June 6, Akisa says she was very happy and proud to see the crowd.

She says these protests are the first steps down a road that leads to change, but people also need to take it upon themselves to take action.

“Signing petitions if you can’t come to a protest, talking with your family members about racism. Having open conversations, things like that. And educating yourself, just doing some research and being willing to listen.”

Akisa adds that her school doesn’t really address or discuss racism, and she would like to see that change to help educate the next generation.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Fringina Mukaga spoke at the protest about how everybody is just a human, and that black people should not be treated any lesser because of the colour of their skin. She says the Black Lives Matter statement is meant to signify their rights exist.

“The reason why the statement is put to be so bold, is because for so long the message has been that black lives don’t matter. So, it’s not to say that all lives don’t matter, it’s to say that right now, black lives are the ones that are in danger.”

She says that, in her own experience, Grande Prairie isn’t necessarily a racist city, but there is still systemic racism and micro-aggressions that black people deal with on a daily basis. Fringina adds that can really have an impact on someone’s mental health and quality of life.

Fringina Mukaga leads the crowd through an eight minute, 46 second moment of silence

Akisa Mukaga gives a speech to the crowd as Angelina Ataaparchu stands nearby

Augustine Abinu, who spoke at the last Black Lives Matter Movement, also gave a speech on Saturday

After an eight minute and 46 second moment of silence, to honour George Floyd, who died while a police officer knelt on his neck for the same amount of time, and several short speeches, the protesters took to the streets.

The protesters left the field and crossed the street, walked along 98 Street and turned up 100 Avenue. They walked one block, turning onto 100 Street, then back down 101 Avenue. The protesters walked around the block three times, chanting and holding signs.

After the peaceful march, they returned to the field, and a few final words were said before the crowd dispersed. The entire event took about an hour.

The crowd returned to the Montrose Cultural Centre’s field for a final few speeches once the march had finished