Premier interrupted but fundraiser protests relatively tame

Demonstrations outside the Premier’s annual fundraising dinner in Regina were boisterous but relatively peaceful.

There were concerns protesters could get out of hand, following what happened at a similar event in Saskatoon in April. 

The few dozen who turned up to the Elphinstone Street entrance to Evraz Place Thursday night held signs with phrases like “Cuts like a knife”, “Honk if you love public services” and “Off the backs of the poor.”

Another giant banner read “Welcome 1% to the premier’s cash for access dinner.”

“I’m just here supporting all the public service workers that are being asked to take wage cutbacks to make up for somebody else’s mistake,” said protester Matt Wallace.

Wallace, along with many of the roughly 60 other people who turned out, were equipped with pots and pans, banging on them with wooden spoons trying to draw attention. Wallace explained the props were being used to show how some faced with these wage rollbacks will have empty plates at home.

Protesters were in place two hours before the event, slowly crossing the street back and forth making access difficult for vehicles turning into Evraz.

The grounds of the facility were busy Thursday, as the Mosaic Festival held its opening night with a number of pavilions at the same site. A funeral was taking place as well, and some drivers who were leaving expressed their displeasure with protesters purposely blocking the road.

Protestors walking across the cross walk between every light. #skpoli pic.twitter.com/Wqls6vSCcP

— Andrew Shepherd (@Andrew5hepherd) June 2, 2017

Several Regina police officers were in place from the onset, parked in their vehicles. Several officers eventually got out and stood just feet away from protesters to make sure things didn’t get unruly. 

In late April, the premier and Sask Party held a fundraising dinner in Saskatoon where some protesters laid out on the hood of vehicles trying to attend.

“We don’t want to have any problems like that. We’re just hoping to make a statement and draw attention to what’s going on,” insisted Wallace.

Protester Emily Barber agreed.

“We want to keep the focus just on the message,” said the university student.

Barber said she was there to protest the austerity cuts in the Wall government’s budget, having a personal interest in education and reduced funding in that area. She said these decisions are not acceptable.

“We’re not going to give up until the cuts are reversed.”

Wall’s speech interrupted

Shortly after Premier Brad Wall started his speech, one of the protesters from outside had casually made her way inside and then up to the stage where she took a picture then started chanting “Stop the cuts!” and “Shame on the Sask. Party!”

“Welcome this young lady who’s joined us as well to engage in free speech,” he responded as the crowd clapped.

Protestor walks into Premier’s Dinner during speech, starts chanting “Stop the cuts!” She was escorted out peacefully pic.twitter.com/aAxzS4PiPr

— Kevin Martel (@KevinMartel) June 2, 2017

Security spoke to her and peacefully escorted her out of the building and then off the grounds of Evraz.

“There’s been so many cuts across the board. There’s been tens of thousands of people who have been mobilizing and demonstrating against these issues or these cuts and we haven’t seen any movement from the government,” Chelsea Flook said when she stopped to tell reporters before police spoke with her.

After his speech ended, Wall addressed the situation more in-depth.

“Regardless of how she came in, I think it’s fair that that’s going to happen in politics,” said the Premier. “We knew the budget wouldn’t be popular and that people would be upset and there would be protests. I accept that.”

“We didn’t make these decisions to be popular, obviously. We made them in the long-term interests of the province,” added Wall.

Protestors at Premier’s dinner. People turning left aren’t getting in here too fast. #skpoli pic.twitter.com/oCIE0oj1Zt

— Andrew Shepherd (@Andrew5hepherd) June 2, 2017