Protesters confront Frances Widdowson at the University of Lethbridge, Feb. 4, 2026. (Image Credit: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Update: Widdowson escorted out of campus

Hundreds protest controversial figure Frances Widdowson at U of L

Feb 4, 2026 | 2:36 PM

UPDATE (Feb. 5, 2026): The University of Lethbridge has provided the following statement on Frances Widdowson’s presence on campus, the protest and the trespass notice it issued to her:

“Earlier today, at approximately 11 a.m., an individual who has recently caused significant disruption at other Canadian universities, began engaging members of the University of Lethbridge community in a public space on our Lethbridge campus.

Throughout the day, the safety and well-being of those on our campus was our top priority. Campus Safety, in coordination with Lethbridge Police Service, implemented measures to keep all those in attendance safe throughout the afternoon.

This took significant university and community resources. When it became clear the interactions had no defined end and that continuing to deploy resources in this manner was not sustainable, the University issued a trespass notice to the individual at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Universities are places where controversial ideas should be examined and critiqued through rigorous, evidence-based inquiry. In this instance, the University provided room for those in attendance to express their viewpoints and for those viewpoints to be contested.

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The University has communicated about this event directly with students, faculty and employees. We will continue to do so in the days and weeks ahead.”

The Lethbridge Police Service says it has not laid any charges against Widdowson, but the investigation is ongoing.

Original Story

The University of Lethbridge’s UHall Atrium was deafeningly loud this afternoon during what was described as a “spontaneous protest.”

Frances Widdowson attended the U of L on Wednesday, Feb. 4, to engage in spectrum street epistemology alongside former U of L professor Dr. Anthony Hall.

Spectrum street epistemology is a non-confrontational method of fostering dialogue on controversial topics where people are asked to position themselves on mats that include statements like “agree” or “strongly disagree.”

Shortly after her arrival, student Carly Iron Shirt says she received an email from the University, notifying her and others that someone controversial was going to be on campus.

@lethbridgenewsnow Frances Widdowson protest at U of L garners hundreds. Learn more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com #YQL #LNN #Lethbridge #FrancesWiddowson #UofL #Alberta #News ♬ original sound – Lethbridge News Now

She called Widdowson a denier of residential school genocide.

“My father went to residential school, my grandparents all went to residential schools. To deny that past is to deny the traumas that my family has endured.”

She started banging a drum and calling attention to Widdowson’s presence, prompting hundreds of students to join in on the protest.

The protesters could be heard shouting slogans like “f*** off racist” and “f*** off Frances,” while others made signs voicing their displeasure with Widdowson’s message.

Protesters confront Frances Widdowson at the University of Lethbridge, Feb. 4, 2026. (Image Credit: Lethbridge News Now)

This did not sit well with Widdowson.

“This is what the University of Lethbridge has created. It has created students who cannot discuss ideas and are complete totalitarians,” Widdowson told LNN. “Shame on the University of Lethbridge. They need to give proper messaging to students so they can become an academic institution once more.”

She added, “The University of Lethbridge needs to be sanctioned for encouraging students to act in this incredible, censorious, and intimidating manner.”

Iron Shirt, on the other hand, says she was pleased to see so many people sticking up for Indigenous peoples and anyone else who had been harmed by the opinions Widdowson spreads.

“It was really awesome to see so many in my community that, you know, doesn’t deny that residential schools happened,” says Iron Shirt.

This was not Widdowson’s first public appearance at the U of L, nor was it the first time that large groups of students protested against her.

Widdowson’s scheduled speech on Feb. 1, 2023, was cancelled by the University, as former President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon said her views were in conflict with a number of the values held by the institution, including its commitment to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

She attempted to sue the U of L over the event’s cancellation, claiming that it was an infringement on her freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as freedom of peaceful assembly under the Constitution Act.

The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed her claim.

LNN has reached out to the U of L for comments.

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Protesters confront Frances Widdowson at the University of Lethbridge, Feb. 4, 2026. (Image Credit: Lethbridge News Now)