If you were driving down highway 16 this afternoon, you may have seen a cluster of people with a microphone on the walkway between the School District office and Treasure Cove.
A rally and open mic, called “Enough is Enough,” was being held which was focused on homelessness, drug use, crime, and social issues locally and across the province.
Around 20 people came out to listen and speak on the issues, two of which drove in from Quesnel, with much of the conversation being centred around people’s problems with the handling of issues like homelessness, addiction, recovery, bail reform and more.
The small turnout didn’t dissuade Nathan Giede, the event organizer, who said he was “ecstatic” that many people showed up when the rally was not heavily advertised.
“I am thankful we got what we got, and I am really thankful for how people shared today,” he said after the rally.
Giede acknowledged no major change would be sparked by a small group on the side of the highway, but said people coming together to share ideas was a starting off point, saying “We (Canadians) fail to have the real conversations needed to say ‘no, this does need to be reformed or does need to be changed.'”
“I am a young man, I am 33 years old,” he said. “I have seen things decline in my short time on earth – that shouldn’t be so… Our first child was just born, and I am deeply worried about the future.”
At this point, Giede said he is not sure if future Enough is Enough rallies or congregations will occur.
The group dispersed after about an hour.