Originally published on May 31, 2026 in issue 10 of Forward Weekly
In spite of the oppressive heat on Friday — a forecasted 31 degrees Celsius — attendance was high for Edmonton’s Day of Protest, one of 16 provincewide rallies organized by the Alberta Federation of Labour on May 29. Inspired in part by the No Kings protests that swept across the United States, organizers hope these rallies mark the beginning of a broader and more sustained movement in Alberta.
According to the AFL, more than 5,000 Albertans took part in what organizers hope were the inaugural demonstrations. In Calgary, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray and 10 other communities, the marches drew people of all ages protesting a litany of policy changes under Premier Smith’s leadership — from health care and education cuts to climate inaction and gerrymandering.
Given the state of the province right now, it was to be expected that so many Albertans would show up to speak out against UCP policies. What was more surprising were the honks and cheers of support from cars and pedestrians who just happened to cross paths with the march. Over the span of the two-hour event, countless citizens just going about their days stopped to yell, honk or give a thumbs up to protesters. It was a reminder that dissatisfaction with this government has seeped into the lives of so many Albertans — and that anger with Danielle Smith and her party might be nearing a tipping point.
A protester carries a Treaty 6 flag in Edmonton’s Centennial Plaza before a crowd of as many as 1,200 protesters marched to the Edmonton Convention Centre to join hundreds of healthcare workers.
Retired civil servant and activist Mable Chan-Simons carries an oversized papier-mâché mask of Premier Danielle Smith, crafted by her teenage daughter, during Edmonton’s Day of Protest. The mask’s dollar-sign eyes and “I’m a separatist” tongue drew plenty of attention from fellow marchers.
Lisa Lane (bottom left) was there to protest cuts to AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped), which have already affected tens of thousands of Albertans. She warned that, unless the government changes course, more people like her could end up living on the streets.
A supporter of the #RedForEd movement holds a sign criticizing the UCP’s education policies during Edmonton’s Day of Protest. The campaign advocates for fair bargaining for teachers, increased classroom funding and improved learning conditions in Alberta schools.
Chantal Trepanier (left) and fellow advocates with the Alberta Disability System Breakdown display a banner protesting the province’s transition from AISH to ADAP, which they say is creating hardship and uncertainty for Albertans with disabilities.
Chief Sheldon Sunshine of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation — one of several bands that tried to block the separatist petition in court — gave a rousing speech. “For more than 150 years … we have defended [Treaty] in the face of broken promises, political games, and governments that thought they could ignore us,” he said. “The only difference now is that more and more people across Alberta are feeling what our people have endured for generations.”
Cori Longo of the Alberta Federation of Labour, which organized the provincewide day of protest, rallies the crowd. The AFL took inspiration from the No Kings movement in the United States, whose anti-Trump demonstrations drew millions of people into the streets beginning in 2025. Like No Kings, organizers hope Alberta's Fight Back Now rallies mark the beginning of a sustained movement.
For all the frustration directed at the UCP, the day was marked as much by joy as anger. Protesters laughed, hugged and celebrated the simple reassurance that they were not alone.
Artist Teagan Melnyk (front, right) poses with fellow protesters carrying signs in support of transgender rights, climate action and community solidarity. The signs reflected the wide range of concerns that brought more than a thousand together in Edmonton — and thousands more across Alberta.
Zachary Ayotte is a photographer, writer and editor living in Edmonton.
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