It was a feel good kind of day in Windsor, Saturday Feb 27 when the Little Town of Big Firsts became the Little Town of Big Love. Men and Women, boys and girls, people of all ages and backgrounds gathered to support Shane Howe and Michelle Rehberg during the Walk of Love rally. They came by the hundreds and they left with a renewed sense of hope.
One lane from Victoria Park to the Exhibition Arena on Wentworth Road was blocked to traffic as the approximately 250 individuals marched in unity, waving flags, and anti-racism signage. Many motorists en route honked horns and waved to show their support.
It was a fitting finale to African Heritage Month. What could have been a collective act of retribution toward the alleged perpetrators of Sundays hate crime, was, as hoped, a celebration of diversity and community pride amongst neighbors.
In his address MP Scott Brison said it is time to stand together, shoulder to shoulder in the fight against prejudice. “Equality and diversity are Canadian qualities. What happened last Sunday is not Canadian. We all know the pain of prejudice and the power of diversity.”
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Brison said the cross-burning incident left him feeling sick, a feeling he said was quickly replace by one of love that day. “What we’ve done here is replace a negative with a positive.”
Howe said he was overwhelmed by the show of support. “I’m tongue tied. I don’t even have words for the amount of happiness I feel right now.”
The Rehberg, Howe children joined their parents that afternoon and enjoyed a moment in the spotlight.
Some had come all the way from metro to attend. Health practitioner and writer Jessica March said it was well worth the trip. “We were so glad that someone organized this. We were horrified by what happened and are glad people are standing up for peace.”
Hants West MLA Chuck Porter called cross-burning event, “unacceptable”. “It’s been an incredible week of unfolding events. We need to eradicate racism.”
Mayor Paul Beazley along with Town CAO Louis Couthino and Deputy Mayor Laurie Murley showed a united front. “This is a big thing for our town and it’s important that we show our support. We’re proud of this community and culture but what happened last Sunday shows that we need to do better.”
Local rapper Ryan Hunter performed, along with Sandra MacDonald who recited a poem by Jean Anthony. Katie MacDonald sang “Oh Canada” and the Black National Anthem with great support and enthusiasm from the crowd.
When the march arrived back at the Victoria Park many chose to dance, clap and sing along to Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and “Heal the World”. Local young people helped set the stage for the post-rally party with unabated enthusiasm.
Many indicated a desire to recreate the event on an annual basis.
Many words were spoken that afternoon and some references were made to the pair of young men who now face charges of incitement to hate. However, Pastor Raymond Upshaw of the Three Mile Plains Baptist Church said it best when he quoted from scripture, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Forgiveness was indeed in the hearts of all that day.
