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Le-on Ochuschayoo stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and aims to make her voice heard on the local streets for at least a week.(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)
LOCAL YOUTH RALLY

Meadow Lake rallies in support of Black Lives Matter movement

Jun 6, 2020 | 6:41 PM

Meadow Lake’s diverse community was demonstrated by local youth and adults who rallied and chanted in support of the Black Lives Matter movement Saturday.

Le-on Ochuschayoo, 18, told meadowlakeNOW she organized the local demonstration earlier this week and spread the word through a community Facebook page. She was standing alone initially, on Wednesday afternoon, but by Saturday, dozens of community members had joined her on First Ave. W in rain or shine.

She wants police brutality recognized and wants to see individuals reconsider their own behavior toward marginalized people.

“So many people care and we all can prevent [racism],” she said. “If you want to make the world a better place, you have to look at yourself and make a change – it just takes one.”

Ochuschayoo, among other inspired youth, drew honks from passers-by and prompted others to get out of their cars to join her.

Reiley LeClair,19, said racial discrimination has personally affected him and his family. He wanted to reach out to as many youth as possible by creating awareness about the movement and hopes to see his generation take additional steps toward equality.

“Treat people the same, that’s all I want,” he said. “I think that’s what everybody wants – just be equal.”

LeClair said he was driving home earlier this week and saw Ochuschayoo standing alone. His next move was to get Bristol board and markers and then stand alongside her to show support. By Friday evening, more people gathered in support.

(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Carol Mitchell, a teacher at Gateway Middle School, came to the demonstration to show support for her daughter who is an African-Canadian child and to show solidarity with local youth.

“I want to support the kids who are wanting their voice to be heard,” Mitchell said. “They want their voices to be heard and they want people to know it’s not okay.”

Mitchell teaches fifth-grade social studies and said her history education from when she was a student is significantly different from what she teaches now.

“We’re bringing First Nations content into schools now [and over the last 10 years] and the things that happened in our Canadian history against Indigenous peoples,” she said. “People are becoming aware and we’re talking about it.”

Michell said she wanted to join the local youth-led movement and acknowledged the injustices youth are seeing.

“I know there is an issue with some thinking all lives matter than what’s happening here with the kids,” she said. ”I want those people to understand, yes, all lives matter but today, it’s about these kids and the injustices they’re seeing which are not being perpetrated upon all lives, it’s being perpetrated on Indigenous peoples and upon black lives. Today, we’re focusing on these lives.”

SunDo Hyun, pastor at Grace United Church in Meadow Lake often advocates for marginalized youth in the community. He said the world needs the voice of these young people, especially the racialized and marginalized people. He said he was happy to see local youth mirror demonstrations in bigger cities and followed their leadership.

“Racism is not just a problem south of the border, it is an issue we are also living and struggling with,” Hyun said. “I’d like more people to know and think about it and start change from their own mindset and to the system of society.”

Youth and adults at the demonstration were peaceful, respectful and maintained a social distance for the most part. Many were wearing masks and everyone ensured a positive outcome.

Ochuschayoo said she plans to stand outside until next Wednesday, though if more people choose to gather to support in solidarity, she plans for the demonstration to be ongoing.

nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722

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