WESTLOCK — Dozens of Westlock and area residents came out to show support for their community and each other, Feb. 23, during a block party at the Capri Mall parking lot.
The two-hour “I don’t agree with you but I love you” block party ran from 4 to 6 p.m. and welcomed residents and guests from both the town and county, on both sides of the plebiscite vote.
The event was organized and co-hosted by petition creator Stephanie Bakker and her cousin, Lylith Messier, who is a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Messier chose after the vote not to attend the party, posting on social media that it was "too much, too soon" and that emotions were running high.
"In part, its because there are many in the pride community who have shared stories with me lately that have shown the existing divide is more severe than I'd realized, and I'm concerned about members of the pride community being vulnerable at this event," Messier wrote.
"But mostly, it is because I have come to realize I cannot agree to disagree with some whose actions have caused harm to others in the community."
Westlock County resident Rachel Mallet said she came out to enjoy a get-together with residents and show her support for the people of Westlock.
“We’re not against anybody, we’re just for the elected officials staying neutral. That’s what they’re supposed to do, they’re supposed to represent everyone of us, not just a specific group,” said Mallet, adding the block party was a way of reconciling both sides. “Personally, I’ve had gay people in my life, my whole life. I love them.”
Pastor Ken Stange of the Westlock Gospel Chapel said he felt it was important to support an event like this.
“If there’s a chance for the community to come together and be together as a community, I think that’s an important thing to do,” he said.
While they did not stay long, there were several members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community or the Vote No side, that did stop by the event for several minutes to say hello and thank organizers for holding the block party, said Bakker.
“I met a few people from the other side that came to say ‘I don’t agree with you’ but (they said) hi and I so appreciate that they came to say that,” she said. “I’m very glad that people have come (to the block party) and it’s been good so far.” Twenty-three-year-old Avery Morris said she wanted to show support for the Westlock community, regardless of which way the vote went and shared her thoughts on the impact the vote had on the community.
“I think for me it was more (about telling) town and council that they can’t just do whatever they want because they please. (They need to) get input from the community first before they make a major decision,” said Morris, noting she thinks the town will move forward regardless of the outcome. “I think it will just die down and everything will blow over and life will continue.”
Derrill Rayner, who ran for councillor in the Jan. 10 Town of Westlock byelection, said he has always stood for equality and the block party embraced that, welcoming everyone including both sides of the vote.
“I’m hoping that we’ll continue and work together (with) everyone being equal,” said Rayner. “I’m hoping that businesses will also say ‘hey we want to go there (Westlock) because we’re being treated equal too.”
Organizers said they had to obtain permission from both the Capri Mall owner and the town in order to hold the event.
“The gentleman who owns it was very kind. He said as long as the town okayed it, he was fine with it,” said Bakker, noting a quick response from the town and their approval. “They gave us the go ahead and things came together in three days.”
