Skip to content

Occupy Red Deer a force of one

He was a shivering force of one on Sunday afternoon, standing by the road and waving his Occupy Red Deer placards while temperatures hovered between -17C and -19C.
Occupy Red Deer 111120jer
Derrick Callan found himself alone Sunday afternoon at Occupy Red Deer on the steps of City Hall.

He was a shivering force of one on Sunday afternoon, standing by the road and waving his Occupy Red Deer placards while temperatures hovered between -17C and -19C.

Even the slightest breeze was enough to freeze exposed flesh in just a few minutes.

Winter conditions and a lack of reinforcements were no match for sociology student Derrick Callan’s determination to promote the message Occupy groups have been spreading across the continent.

President of the Red Deer College Students’ Association, Callan, 25 has been spending his Sunday afternoons occupying a piece of the sidewalk in front of City Hall. He hopes his protest, along with the those in other cities, will draw attention to the plight of millions of people whose lot in life swings on the mercy of the wealthy corporations that Occupy leaders believe are calling the shots, including their influence on government.

Callan said has no idea why the turnout in Red Deer has been so poor, when Occupy participants in other cities have shown such conviction, like the group in Edmonton that is now facing eviction.

“I don’t know if Red Deer is aware that this is going on,” said Callan. He also speculates that people in Central Alberta are more comfortable than they are in cities where the Occupy movement is stronger.

He refuses to be discouraged and is instead appreciative of the people who have stopped by to chat and those who beep their horns and wave as they drive by.

Among them was Pastor Peter Schultz of Occupy Edmonton, who was in Red Deer during the weekend to attend a conference on aboriginal spirituality.

Schultz said he was concerned that his tent would be removed while he was in Red Deer and hoped that other members of Occupy Edmonton would save it for him.

Callan said participating in the movement is about sacrificing comfort and showing support for people who are being hurt by the economic system that’s now in place.

“A lot of homeless people have to stand out in this cold, and they’re people too.”

Recognizing that Mayor Morris Flewwelling has worked to end homelessness, Callan said municipalities and non-profit groups cannot do it all on their own.

“With the cuts to social spending, it’s difficult for non-profit organizations to provide help. It’s the provincial governments that have the most power, especially in Alberta. There’s a lot the provincial government can do,” he said.

“That’s what we want to see. I believe there needs to be a paradigm shift within society that says, you know, it’s not all about money.”

Callan will return to City Hall Park at noon next Sunday. He would welcome some company.

bkossowan@www.reddeeradvocate.com

— copyright Red Deer Advocate