INNISFAIL – As RCMP laid a second assault charge against a Penhold man in connection to incidents at an emotionally charged anti-racism rally in Red Deer, a prominent anti-racism advocate, who is facing a more serious assault with a weapon charge, has fired back at Mounties with intentions to file a complaint.
Calgarian Taylor McNallie, 29, who is calling her assault charge “a joke”, said on social media posts that she first learned of the assault with a weapon charge through social media channels.
“I had to call Red Deer RCMP to confirm. In case you didn't know, releasing such information prior to being served is unlawful, and I absolutely will be filing a complaint against them, along with their actions (or lack there of) on September 20 in general,” said McNallie, who was a leading organizer of anti-racism rallies this past summer in Central Alberta, including in Didsbury and Cremona where she lived for a time. “It was also incredibly convenient for them to hold off on serving me papers until the day before our march here in Calgary this past Sunday.”
On Oct. 27, RCMP announced Trevor Lyle Roy, 42, of Penhold, was charged with assault in connection to an incident at the Sept. 20 rally in Red Deer. It is the second assault charge laid against him from the rally. He is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Nov. 17.
On Oct. 23 RCMP issued a news release stating McNallie was charged with the more serious charge of assault with a weapon in relation to a separate incident at the Red Deer anti-racism rally on Sept. 20. McNallie is scheduled to attend Red Deer provincial court on Nov. 10.
RCMP said in the most recent news release the Red Deer RCMP investigation into the Sept. 20 rally is completed and no further charges are anticipated.
McNallie was contacted by The Albertan for an interview on the assault charge laid against her but she politely declined to comment for publication.
She directed The Albertan to her social media posts and to a website where she has written extensively about the RCMP and the ongoing fractured relationship between anti-racism advocates and the counter-protest movement. The RCMP publicly stated in its Oct. 23 new release they will not comment on the matters as it is now before the courts.
“This matter will take months in court, and it’s a huge waste of time and tax dollars. It’s not hard to see who the criminals and aggressors are,” said McNallie on Twitter.
A blurry video of the alleged assault has been posted online but it has not been verified.
“The charge is a joke and I look forward to taking it to court,” she said, adding she plans to plead not guilty to the assault charge and taking the matter to trial. Let me be very clear that this ‘assault with a weapon’ was a camera thrown at (alleged victim) arm, leading to one of the best soccer dives of all time – we’ve all seen the video.”
