Controversial speaker Frances Widdowson moves through U Hall at the University of Lethbridge with hundreds of protesters following on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. (Photo: Sarah Jones/LNN)

By Sarah Jones

Hundreds protest controversial speaker Frances Widdowson at University of Lethbridge

Feb 1, 2023 | 9:43 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The University of Lethbridge U Hall Atrium was filled with hundreds of people Wednesday evening protesting controversial speaker Frances Widdowson.

Widdowson was set to have a public lecture on “How Woke-ism Threatens Academic Freedom” on February 1, 2023, but the event faced backlash from students when announced late last week.

Read more: University of Lethbridge issues statement in response to controversial speaker

Widdowson has recently come under fire for her opinions on matters such as residential schools and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Originally, the U of L announced it would allow Widdowson’s talk to proceed under the principle of free expression, but university officials later changed their tone.

Week-in-review: Municipal election changes, a leadership debate and green bins

4h ago

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 26, 2024

Apr 26, 2024

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon issued a statement on the event, saying, “To ensure our community is safe, in the context of this planned lecture, the University will not provide space for this public lecture to occur on campus.”

Read more: University of Lethbridge cancels event featuring controversial speaker

In response to the cancellation, Widdowson promised to make an appearance at the same time that her lecture was originally scheduled, whether she had a venue or not.

As a result, hundreds of people arrived at the same time in a counter-protest to Widdowson’s lecture.

While things started off peacefully with a drum circle and traditional dance from local Indigenous performers, one woman was observed screaming “Freedom of Speech” over the traditional drumming.

Students acted quickly to mediate the situation, but when Widdowson began making her way through the crowd, hundreds followed.

People began yelling obscenities, and the crowd was tightly packed around Widdowson in front of Urban Market in U Hall.

Police and campus security deemed it was no longer safe, and escorted Widdowson to a different location while students tried to follow.

Widdowson told Lethbridge News Now that the crowd would have been more controllable if they had not cancelled her talk.

“I wasn’t frightened at all. I’ve seen this before, but nothing like this. Nothing at this level,” said Widdowson. “The president, it’s all on him. He’s a panderer to activism. His university is going to be destroyed and that’s really tragic.”

Following Widdowson’s departure, the protest concluded in the Science Commons Atrium with only a handful of students remaining.

In response to the events that transpired, the U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Mahon made another statement:

“Earlier tonight, over 700 students, staff, faculty and community supporters engaged in a protest of a controversial speaker, and another large group attended a lecture on the importance of truth before reconciliation.”

“Tonight’s events were a coming together of our community to show support for each other and a reflection of the values of the University of Lethbridge. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our community members for conducting themselves in such a peaceful and powerful manner.”

Read more: Alberta promising changes to campuses amid university ‘woke’ free speech standoff