Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard (Photo: Chris Schwarz / Government of Alberta)

By Shaun Penner

Weekend Protest

MLA Tracy Allard responds to weekend protest outside residence

Nov 2, 2021 | 11:24 AM

Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard says some rather disturbing remnants were left behind by protestors who demonstrated outside of her private residence in Grande Prairie on Sunday.

In a Facebook post from Monday, Allard says a group of protestors, which grew to as many as 30 people, gathered in her neighbourhood on Sunday. She says police were called to the area and the crowd dispersed after about 90 minutes.

However, after the crowd left, she says a stand with a noose tied to it was left behind which had the phrase “no to masks, end the gov’t, hang ’em all” written on it.

Photo: Tracy Allard / Facebook

“This is a shocking act of aggression, a clear threat, and a sad punctuation mark on the polarization and anger in our society,” Allard wrote in the Facebook post Monday.

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

“Beyond my outrage and my shock, I feel a deep sadness. I feel heartbreak… because what I see behind this act is a growing fear that is gripping our community.”

While Allard says she respects citizens’ right to protest, she feels Sunday’s demonstration was over the line.

“Did you consider the people in my neighbourhood … the preschool children that live in my cul-de-sac? This is not the way to seek change,” Allard wrote.

“You won’t get what you want through intimidation, threats, and bullying. And you won’t keep representatives that are invested in their jobs and working diligently on your behalf if you terrorize their families and their neighbourhoods.”

Citing a growing fear as what she believes led to the protest, Allard suggests that fear stems from a number of factors related to the pandemic, including COVID-19, the vaccine, and job security.

“The uncertainty of the last 20 months, including confusing and seemingly contradictory restrictions imposed by governments the world over, has left citizens confused, uncertain, and fearful. We KNOW the biggest driver of anger is fear.”

With that, Allard is calling for more compassion and understanding, regardless of which side of a particular argument one may be on.

She suggests the strongest way to show that compassion is through listening and considering the perspectives of others.

“Once again, I am calling on people – including those at the decision-making table – to think beyond their personal feelings and consider the perspective of others,” Allard wrote.

“Not to make them wrong… not to judge them… just to hear them out and to strive to understand their perspective. I think that’s the key: listening to understand instead of listening to be right.”

Allard asks that those who do wish to vent their frustration and anger find a more appropriate way to do it.

“If you need help, reach out to my office at 780-538-1800, but leave my family and my private life alone. Enough is enough!”

Grande Prairie RCMP say while they attended the scene of the protest at around 2:50 p.m. Sunday and remained on site to “ensure a safe environment for residence and protestors”, no enforcement action was taken.

“The protest was not impeding the flow of traffic or Halloween trick-or-treaters in the area. RCMP officers did request the removal of a “noose” hung from a wooden post. The protestor removed the post from display,” RCMP said in a statement Tuesday, adding no charges were laid against any of the protestors.

Other Grande Prairie area politicians have also condemned the actions of the protestors, including MP Chris Warkentin and City Councillor Dylan Bressey. Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley also spoke out against the protest.