Was hanging out playing some Rummy with Olivia and her mom and all of a sudden there was a huge ruckus coming from downtown. Grabbed the camera and headed off - All of a sudden we came to this giant parade of people waving the Acadian Flag and marching and screaming VIVE L’ACADIE!!!

We followed and around city hall there was a HUGE rally with everyone cheering and screaming and singing french songs. They were really ramped up - some people looked almost frantic running around.

Apparently it was ‘Acadian Days’ in Fredericton and it was a flag raising ceremony. Lots of hotshots there with Lieutenant Governor Chiasson leading the pack. Andy Scott even spoke in English to cheers.

Olivia immediately noticed a pack of protestors off to the side carrying signs like “IS NEW BRUNSWICK QUEBEC’S NEW BRANCH OFFICE?” and “DON’T LET THE TAIL WAG THE DOG ANY LONGER. WHY DO ACADIANS HAVE SPECIAL STATUS?”. They were from the Anglo Society of New Brunswick.

Ran over and struck up a convo with him:

Jake:
Mind if I snap a picture?

Protestor:
Not at all. Let me tell you that I’m not against you people. I’m just protesting that our flag isn’t allowed to be flown while the Acadian one is.

Jake:
That’s fair - but I’m not Acadian, sir.

Protestor:
Ahh, ok. Did you know I was set up on an assault charge today?

Jake:
Oh, that’s not good.

And then snapped a few shots. There was a cop there watching him holding a video camera, so I imagine they were expecting something to shake down.

After the official speeches we went home. Another day.


The Milling Crowd Anglo Protestor O!