Anti-Prorogue March report from Edmonton

[daleo]

I would say the crowd was in the 500 range - no doubt the media will divide this by 10, but don't believe them. The crowd stretched for about 3 blocks or so, which is the basis for my estimate.

It was a bit windy and cool, but fairly tolerable by the standards of Edmonton in January. There had been a moderate snowfall overnight so there were spots that werea bit of a trudge, but not bad for mid-winter.

The crowd was quite a cheerful group, and quite mixed in age ans do forth. The favored chants:

"All we are saying is go back to work" (to "give Peace a Chance" refrain).
"Listen to the nation, stop the prorogation" (or words to that effect).

We had some errands to run, so I didn't stay for all of the speechifying at Gazebo Park.

Lots of people honked as they drove past, showing their support. There were very few opposing voices from passers by.

[tuvor]

1. No more than 70 in Courtenay today.

A couple of non-partisan speeches taking about ten minutes, followed by speeches from next election's federal candidates (except of course for Conservative MP John Duncan, apparently away on vacation), which I didn't stay for.

Not nearly as impressive as the few hundred at an anti-racism rally last summer at noon on a weekday.

[daleo]

2. Given the population

That's not so bad is it?

[tuvor]

6. Well, 70 protesters at most in a region of 50,000.

That's only one in 714. One in 286 if you count only Courtenay proper.

I have no idea how that compares to the rest of the nation.

[daleo]

7. Globe and Mail estimated 25,000 around the country

So, that's about 1 per 1200 or so. Your count was ok. It's not easy to get a lot of people to march, especially in mid-winter. Harper should be quite concerned.

[HeresyLives]

3. The fact you got ANYbody out in Alberta

is amazing all by itself!

[daleo]

4. Well, Redmonton is a bit different

Especially the university area. I gather that Calgary also has some enclaves of non-rightist population.

[HeresyLives]

5. Must be few and far between!

That's practically treason in Calgary!