(rdnewsNOW file photo from video footage provided by Jeremy Russel)

By Troy Gillard/rdnewsNOW

As outrage mounts…

Red Deer RCMP asking for witnesses regarding alleged assault at demonstration

Sep 22, 2020 | 5:16 PM

Red Deer’s top cop says police need to conduct a full investigation before any charges can be laid for an alleged assault at an anti-racism event in the city, despite what video circulating on social media might show.

Things became violent Sunday afternoon when participants in an anti-racism rally were met by counter-protesters at Rotary Recreation Park.

Red Deer RCMP Supt. Gerald Grobmeier spoke to media Tuesday afternoon and was questioned over his detachment’s handling of the event.

Grobmeier said an assault shown in video footage seen by many took place before officers got there as participants in the event arrived earlier than expected.

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“Had we been there we would’ve taken action, we certainly would’ve separated the groups which we had to do several times throughout the protest demonstration,” he said.

A second incident was brought to the attention of Alberta RCMP attention through social media on Monday, leading Red Deer RCMP to open an investigation.

“We haven’t laid any charges because we need the victim to come forward, we need witness statements and we need to know who the perpetrator is,” Grobmeier added, noting that the victim has been invited to come speak to police but has yet to do so.

Grobmeier says police analysts were monitoring social media in the days leading up to Sunday’s event following violence at anti-racism rallies in other communities, including last week in Ponoka where someone what struck by a vehicle.

He said that at one point 16 police officers were at the event on Sunday.

“We certainly didn’t expect to see what we say on Sunday. I don’t think anybody did.”

He said he’s disappointed to see this kind of incident happen in Red Deer.

“We’ve had so many protests and rallies in this city since my arrival here. We’ve never seen anything like this. This city has always been very tolerant.”

The superintendent went out of his way to say that many of the people involved in the incident were not from Red Deer, which matters because events like Sunday’s affect what people think of the city.

“Red Deer is a welcoming society. Red Deer has issues like every other city does, but we also have individuals that are following these protests around that don’t have any vested interest in the city, so the (feel) they can almost do what they feel like.”

Mayor Tara Veer condemned acts of violence and racism in Red Deer.

“The City of Red Deer is aware of and shares the public’s strong concerns regarding the escalated protests that occurred in our city this past weekend,” she said.

“The City recognizes that social tensions are extremely high across our country as a result of the pandemic, economy, political polarity, and competing worldviews. However, as a community it is imperative we pull together, and not apart, during adverse times. We cannot allow the actions of a few to characterize our city.”

Kaycee Madu, Alberta’s justice minister and solicitor general also denounced what took place on Sunday.

“I have seen select clips of the protest in Red Deer on Sunday, Sept. 20, and I am admittedly disturbed,” he said. “Violence and threats of violence at peaceful protests are unacceptable. Period. All Albertans – regardless of race, religion or creed – have the right to live their lives peacefully.”

Madu said he’s confident that Albertans “overwhelmingly reject” what happened in Red Deer and is hopeful that police get to the bottom of it.