By Steven Sandor
Supporters of Alberta independence vow to keep up the fight no matter the result of Monday’s vote
The sea of blue flags at the legislature grounds on Saturday made the crowd seem larger than the 2,000 or so who were there. Before the speakers took the stage, they shimmied as an Alberta-themed remake of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” played. They roared in approval when Nickelback was cranked over the sound system.
With just two days left to go before the Oct. 19 referendum, supporters of Alberta’s independence gathered for a final push to the finish line. Speakers talked about the fears that Ottawa was going to nationalize the province’s oil resources, that Canada’s negotiations with the European Union was all about making arms deals and that the proposed Pacific Link Pipeline was part of a federal money-laundering scheme.
The crowd booed heartily each and every time Prime Minister Mark Carney’s name was called out. They catcalled at any mention of the European Union.
Halfway through the event, there was a T-shirt toss, just like you’d see during the break in the action at an Oilers game. Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” played, followed by AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”