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Edmonton

Every movement in history comes with a portion of controversy

Published

6 years ago

4 minute read

For Jesse Lipscombe, a fourth-generation Albertan, 2018 isn’t going to be business as usual.

In 2016, when the entrepreneur and actor was filming a commercial for urban transportation in Edmonton, he was faced with a random act of racism. Jesse responded to the incident by facing the vehicle full of perpetrators with — not violence — but peaceful dialogue. It must have been an awkward conversation when the vehicle full of men realized they were now faced with having to actually converse with a 6’3” 265lb athlete — not just a victim at a distance.

“What he did has given me and my city and the country an opportunity to talk about something that needs to be talked about,” says Lipscombe. “To me, this is bigger than me, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are countless victims in the streets, who were forced to walk it off, or turn the other shoulder. People are getting away with hurting others.”

Lipscombe didn’t know this was going to happen. It wasn’t the first time he’s experienced overt racism, but it was the first time that it was caught on camera — captured for the world to see. In an official statement, Edmonton’s mayor respected Lipscombe’s right to use the moment to take a political stance with the goal of making the city better. This was the start of a movement that gained national and international support: #MakeItAwkward.

Every movement in history comes with a portion of controversy. From Civil Rights to the Feminist movement, to the woman who ran the Boston marathon — and the iconic photo of men pulling her back — to the more recent #metoo movement. Change and changemakers stir up emotion and opinion on all sides.

The freedom of debate has always made our country a wonderful one to live in. But sometimes, when a movement is going in the right direction, naysayers get ahold of the microphone. They often mean well, but can create confusion for the community and the movement.

Jesse Lipscombe has been met with increasing controversy over his upcoming event, the #MakeItAwkard Inclusivity Summit. Some critics chose to focus on only the highest ticket prices — snowballing their gripe into news articles. But Lipscombe stands for so much more than the #yegticketgate controversy. The event prices range from $89, $99, $179, $299 — and yes, the infamous $445 — but it costs money to hold an event of this scale at a downtown hotel. Meanwhile, the movement is still very-much needed, and Lipscombe has gathered speakers, panel discussions, workshops and artistic performers to our city to tackle some very real social problems.

A number of prominent leaders, speakers, actors, athletes of various backgrounds are coming together and making it abundantly clear that discrimination isn’t just something they will brush aside…and it’s time we are all accountable, that we come together and… #MakeItAwkward.

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Male suspect involved in tragic incident between Beaumont and Edmonton sought by police; EPS release photos of suspect

Published on February 26, 2024

By

News release from the Edmonton Police Service (EPS)

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is assisting the RCMP with the investigation into a tragic incident that claimed the life of an innocent woman last night on 50 Street.

Yesterday, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at approximately 9:40 p.m. various EPS resources were deployed to the area of 50 Street and 22 Avenue SW at the request of the RCMP. It was reported to police that RCMP attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a suspicious U-Haul in Beaumont, when the vehicle fled. The U-Haul subsequently travelled north on 50 Street into Edmonton, where it struck and killed a woman inspecting the exterior of her vehicle. Moments later the U-Haul came to rest just outside a gas station off of 22 Avenue and 50 Street.

After crashing the U-Haul, the male suspect then reportedly stole a Honda Civic that was parked outside the gas station with a child inside. Police did consider an Alert to the public at the time, though thankfully the child was located unharmed in the area of 66 Street and 25 Avenue minutes later. The suspect then fled the scene in the Honda Civic. The stolen vehicle has since been recovered outside of Edmonton.

The EPS and RCMP continue to actively seek the identity and whereabouts of the male suspect described as being approximately 5’11” who was last seen wearing a black hoodie with white text on the front, brown shorts and black shoes. CCTV photos of the suspect are included below.

“We are incredibly saddened to hear about the tragic death of the innocent woman who was killed on 50 Street,” says Det. Nigel Phillips with the EPS Investigative Response Team. “Our hearts are with her family and friends who will now have to carry on with this unfathomable loss.”

“We are doing everything we can to track down the suspect and we trust the public will help us identify and locate him as soon as possible.”

Assist to identify and locate: Male suspect running in area of 50 Street & 22 Avenue SW
While the RCMP is leading this investigation, the EPS is assisting and working collaboratively with its law enforcement partners.

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity and/or their whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS immediately at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

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Alberta

Province forms Edmonton Public Safety Cabinet Committee in response to homeless encampment crisis

Published on January 12, 2024

By

Edmonton encampments: Deputy Premier Ellis

Deputy Premier Mike Ellis issued the below statement in response to Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi’s announcement of his intention to declare an emergency:

“In November, Premier Danielle Smith ordered that an emergency cabinet committee be created and convened in response to the issue of crime and gang-related activity within encampments across the City of Edmonton.

“Alberta’s government cares deeply about vulnerable Edmontonians and we will always ensure that anyone who wants shelter and supportive services will receive it. However, we will not stand by and watch as vulnerable Albertans and the general public continue to be extorted, taken advantage of and killed by gangsters and deadly drugs.

“The Edmonton Public Safety Cabinet Committee (EPSCC) is comprised of ministers from departments that oversee operations and/or administer programs that promote public safety and support the transition of Edmonton-based encampment residents into safe, secure and appropriate arrangements.

“The cabinet committee membership includes:

  • Danielle Smith, Premier (chair)
  • Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice
  • Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
  • Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
  • Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs
  • Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
  • Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services
  • Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction
  • Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations

“Also sworn into the committee are:

  • Cody Thomas, Grand Chief, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
  • Dale McPhee, Chief, Edmonton Police Service

“This committee has met continuously since its initial meeting on Nov. 29, 2023, to plan a joint response. Our government is working on an action plan alongside Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Police Service, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and several departments from the City of Edmonton, including Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

“Our government will continue to respond to these issues following the expected court decision on Jan. 16, no matter the outcome. We will have a more detailed statement regarding this response once the court decision is made.”

Additional quotes

“It is dangerous for the mayor and others to continue to suggest that vulnerable Albertans do not have anywhere to turn. This is false and will lead to more folks choosing not to seek out shelter because they fear they’ll be turned away. I have said before and will continue to say: there is safe space in shelters around the city and nobody will be turned away. We have more than enough room for every homeless person in the city of Edmonton to have a warm, safe place to stay. It is completely inappropriate and dangerous for the mayor, or anyone, to suggest Edmonton is out of capacity in our social services sector or our emergency shelter systems. Anyone needing shelter space will be kept care of.”

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

“I have been working and will continue to work diligently alongside the provincial government, in the spirit of reconciliation, for months on the serious action that is needed to get all people off the streets, including First Nations people. Encampments are not a safe place and letting people overdose and freeze in the cold is not reconciliation.”

Cody Thomas, Grand Chief, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations 

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