On Friday morning, October 17th, a support rally and walk was organized in the Drumheller Valley called Red 4 Ed.
Organizers encouraged locals to join them by wearing red while walking from the former curling rink down along Highway 9, by MLA for Drumheller-Stettler Nate Horner’s office in Drumheller, and then back to curling rink using the path system.
Hundreds joined in the walk. It took approximately four traffic light changes for everyone to cross both 3rd Avenue and Highway 9. Sonja Green wasn’t able to participate in the walk but did come out from her workplace to show support. Green believes this was an important display of support. “Because they (teachers) love our children and they want the best for them. They want to take care of them, not just our kids here in Drumheller, but all throughout Alberta, and make sure they have the support they need.”
Green was not surprised by the number of people involved. “I am not at all surprised by the amount of people that are out here, and honking, because you can tell that there is love and support by everyone in our community for our teachers.”
Green has kids in school and knows that teachers in the larger communities in our province have tougher conditions than those in Drumheller. “I have teachers in our family and I know, where they’re from it is a lot harder. Here in Drumheller, we’re lucky with the teachers we have, the support we have in our school system. I’ve had Ms. Cassidy as a teacher for both of my kids in Kindergarten. She is amazing. I support them 1000 percent.”
The strike continues into its third week. Premier Danielle Smith said last week teachers can “fully expect” to be ordered back to work if a provincewide strike is still on by October 27th, when the legislature resumes.
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