Letter: Underlying messages are dangerous and not new

By Letter to the Editor on February 9, 2022.

Dear editor,

The recent shout for freedom across our country has other underlying messages, attached to it.

Three years ago, before COVID was even in our vocabulary, I engaged in an exchange with Yellow Vest demonstration in front of the NPD electoral office. Earlier, they were supporting our Conservative candidate in front of his office around the corner. With pride they had a mix of American and Canadian flags, supporting signage with “Make Alberta Great Again.”

They carried other signs, displaying F#$% Trudeau, Trump was great, and their discontent with immigration and refugees. I wondered if they realized this was a provincial election.

When we approached them, we thought we could have a conversation that might enlighten us of their discord.

What we found and heard was offensive vitriol, spun with conspiracy theories, lack of supporting information, anti-science sentiments on climate change and any other body of study driven by science.

They expressed views on economic failure, scapegoated the reasons causing this with no reliable references. And when we turned to leave, they added, “immigrants should be shot at the border.” White supremacy sentiment out in full view.

And now we are here. Mandates, freedom are only pawns in this chess game. This started long before any virus appeared. At a new level, our Conservative parties are infiltrated by far-right groups who think violence is an option, paired with the ultra-religious that feel we all need to be saved.

This ideology has been festering for 4-5 years, and it creates the same level of danger for our country as you see in those who support Trump.

I support the right to peacefully protest. But people that automatically support this occupation of our cities have much more to lose than they are aware of. Our democracy is challenged by their ill-thought-out resentments.

The freedom of average citizens wanting to go work, walk their dogs, have a peaceful sleep are taken hostage. Blocking and intimating hospital workers, entering schools. But we are to sympathize with their FREEDOM signs?

Desecration of memorials, threats of violence and Nazi symbols should not be explained away or tolerated by citizens who care about their country. Other terrorist groups are watching with intent at how we allowed our border to be taken and controlled so easily. Innocent, uniformed, naive people that do not follow politics have had the wool pulled over their eyes and are being employed in this chess game. They have based their knowledge on coffee-row rhetoric.

When the board tips and the players fall, do not say the warnings were not ever present and dangerous.

Shelley Ewing

Medicine Hat

16
-15