Greta Thunberg was here to today, but I did not see her. I went out to see her however the Climate Rally turned out to be an Indigenous Rights Rally.

The rally started at 11:00 AM in Beaver Hill Park and made its way to the Legislative Grounds. There were many people there, the radio said 17,000. That number is a bit deceiving. There were about 200 hard-line Indigenous Rights people and 200 hard-line Climate people. About half of the rest were school kids and fun seekers and the other half were bystanders, the media and more photographers than I ever seen in one place before. Oh, there was a report there were also 200 counter-protesters. They got swallowed up in the crowd and except for three or four at the front of the march, they were non-existent.

By 12:00 noon the speeches started at the Legislative Grounds. The speakers were mostly young people under the age of 25. Most of what they had to say was condemning most everything about our current state of affairs without offering one positive thing they were going to do to correct the problems. There were plenty of demands made on: all levels of government, industry, business and non-indigenous people. If they were looking to win over support, I think they failed.

After an hour and a half, I had enough so I left. I heard Greta spoke for a short time and said nothing new.

I was disappointed with the rally; it was an opportunity lost. With such a large audience of clearly concerned citizens, it was the perfect opportunity to inform and motivate them about climate change, but it was squandered by finger pointing and name calling.

Who came away looking the best were the men and women of the Edmonton City Police. Professionalism at its best.

Hopefully these photographs tell the story.