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A yellow vest convoy, made up of nearly 50 vehicles adorned in Canadian flags, traveled through Saskatoon streets with horns blaring as part of a protest on Saturday.
Organizer Marc Friesen was pleased with how the convoy was received during its less than two-hour trip through the city.
“The amount of support stuck out the most for me,” he said. “All the people driving by and honking and supporting us really shows us that there’s a silent majority out there that understand what we’re trying to do.”
The yellow vest protests originated in France, but soon started a global movement. In Saskatoon, the protesters largely aim their frustration at what members call “globalist agendas,” which are seen as damaging to Canadian sovereignty.
Barry Achtemichuk drove from Yorkton with his wife, Theresa, to take part in the convoy. It’s the first time the couple has participated in a political movement like this.
“A lot of people are just asleep out there,” Achtemichuk said about bringing awareness to the cause. “They go on with their day-to-day lives and think everything is going to be OK — it’s not going to be OK unless they stand up for their rights and say, ‘No more!'”
That's the sound of the #YellowVests getting ready to begin today's convoy. It will take off from @SaskTelCtr at noon. pic.twitter.com/xHo9Z2yKSr
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) May 4, 2019
The convoy began by meeting at SaskTel Centre, where organizers were charged up with a few brief speeches by organizers.
Taking off shortly before noon, the convoy traveled Idylwyld Drive before touring Circle Drive South. The convoy turned off at Lorne Avenue and then once again at Eighth Street East. The last leg of the convoy was riding Circle Drive North to Warman Road and 51st Street before resting at the Ramada Hotel for a tailgate barbecue.
Police helped hugely in seeing the convoy finish ahead of schedule. Cruisers escorted the convoy as officers blocked intersections along the route, while keeping closures to five minutes or less throughout the afternoon.
There was little push back, protests or emotional outbursts from onlookers or those caught in a sudden traffic jam. Instead, people like Neil Torrance dropped what they were doing to wave and show support.
“Hey, we’re all for it,” Achtemichuk said after leaving his meal at Popeyes behind. “We got to stand up, October is coming.”
And now the convoy moves down Lorne Ave. It stopped traffic at Ruth Street for a couple minutes as police have it moving rather quickly. pic.twitter.com/Pid8Yj0lqT
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) May 4, 2019
Lead organizer steps aside
Friesen has been one of the most vocal yellow vest protesters in Saskatoon since the movement began in December.
Saturday was his final involvement with the protest group, saying he will be distancing himself from the movement after becoming the Saskatoon-Grasswood candidate for the People’s Party of Canada in the upcoming federal election.
Friesen knew this day was just a matter of time.
“The yellow vests don’t want official party members from any party having any official capacity within the yellow vests, and I completely understand and encourage that position. Globalism is really what we’re protesting, and all of the issues that stem from that is what inspires and motivates them to join the movement,” Friesen said, mentioning populism as a whole rather than just the yellow vests.
Friesen said tapping into the sentiments of populism and “the silent majority” is crucial to beginning real political change instead of following orders from “the elite establishment.”
“I’m taking the whole yellow vest movement as an opportunity, as a platform to get the message out,” he said. “I think a lot of people are thankful and appreciate the fact that there’s people like myself and others that can be their voice.”