Virtual 'Be the Change' rally planned for Edmonton Tuesday

Rallies against racism in Alberta Some in-person and online rallies have been organized in Alberta in response to racism and the protests in the United States.

Edmonton — A digital rally to support people of colour in Edmonton and around the world is planned for Tuesday evening.

Be the Change Edmonton had drawn close to 2,200 members on its Facebook page as of Monday morning.

"Together we can make a difference. Together we can be the change," reads the event's Facebook page.

The rally is planned for 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

"We are so looking forward to being united together on Tuesday - but in a way that offers less resistance, less risk, and greater impact."

The event's organizer Jesse Lipscombe will be on CTV Morning Live Edmonton tomorrow morning.

The event was initially planned as an in-person rally but switched to a virtual format to comply with Alberta's public health orders, which ban gatherings of larger than 50 people.

The rally is in reponse to the death of George Floyd, a black man who died last week after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck during an arrest.

Video of the incident sparked outrage across the United States, with several cities being embroiled in protests over the weekend.

In Edmonton, police issued a social media post calling the actions of the officer "unacceptable."

The Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Eskimos also both issued statements supporting, though the latter was met with calls for the team to change its name.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson also tweeted his support for the rally, saying the city wasn't immune to racism.

"We recognize the need for community to share its grief for Geroge Floyd's tragic and unjustifiable death, and solidarity with Minneapolis and others, even from a distance, and we sympathize and support."

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney also addressed the death and demonstrations on Monday afternoon.

"I denounce racism in any form and police brutality anywhere that it occurs," he said.

"We need to acknowledge that we're not perfect in Canada that we always need to strive to do better in ensuring equality of all before the law."