DECEMBER 25, 2019
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Protest Staged Outside MLA’s Constituency Office in Vegreville Michelle Pinon News Advertiser
Vegreville resident Dane Woychuk took inspiration from the ‘Coal for Kenney’ campaign and spearheaded a protest that was held outside of United Conservative Party (UCP) MLA Jackie ArmstrongHomeniuk’s constituency off ice Wednesday afternoon. Woychuk, along with Vegreville resident Ian Stewart, Edmonton resident Tarra Shipman, and Fort Saskatchewan resident Lori Gray, her two young children and grandmother, marched from the Co-op food store parking lot to the MLA’s office shortly after 1 p.m. The office door was locked so they left hand written messages on black paper, a Christmas stocking and card, and black painted rocks made to simulate lumps of coal outside for Armstrong-Homeniuk. As to why Woychuk wanted to get involved in the campaign, he explained that he saw the ‘Coal for Kenney’ website advertised on a couple of social media sites, Facebook
and Twitter and decided to take action of his own. Woychuk added: “I wanted to get personally involved when I realized how much
frustration with trying to get a meeting with MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk.” According to a press release that was distributed to various media outlets prior to the
Protesters Tarra Shipman and Dane Woychuk continue marching towards MLA’s constituency office in Vegreville on Dec. 18. (Michelle Pinon/photo) these Acts (Bill 21 and 22) will affect myself and others in the community. Plus my own
marketplace
protest, it stated that local residents had partnered up with Climate Justice
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Edmonton, and in support of its grassroots ‘Coal for Kenney’ campaign that was designed to help them voice their anger and come together in solidarity. People were also encouraged to “share stories about how the UCP is making their lives worse” and to organize coal deliveries to UCP MLA offices. Ian Stewart said he was participating in the protest because he works with people who have disabilities and wanted to use his voice to act for them. Tarra Shipman, who is involved with the Alberta Hummingbird Project Facebook group, said she was advocating for people with developmental disabilities. Lori Gray said she has a lot of concerns regarding government cutbacks to health care, education, seniors pensions as well as the AISH (Assured Income for the Severley Handicapped) program, and wanted to add her presence at the protest. Woychuk said the main purpose of the protest was to let MLA Armstrong-
PROTEST STAGED - CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
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