Small Calgary 'kudatah' bemuses Albertans

It started in the Walmart parking lot at Westbrook Mall, and that's where it ended about 10 minutes later.

A small group of Albertans gathered early Friday afternoon to stage a "kudatah" — protesting the NDP government and urging people to sign their petitions calling for plebiscites regarding NDP policies.

The group, called Albertans First, says on its Facebook page it supports the "right of Albertans to maintain and build a strong non-government controlled province."

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Rally organizers are even calling on all Albertans to join the NDP — infiltrating the party so political leaders will listen to them, unless the NDP agrees to plebiscites on Bill 6 and a carbon tax.

Initially, the group had planned to hold their rally on March 8, but "increasing desperation and losses of hope and life for Albertans" prompted organizer George Clark to move the date up. 

In January, a Facebook comment used an interesting spelling of coup d'état, prompting dozens of memes and tweets poking fun at the idea of a "kudatah."

Albertans being 'ignored'

Clark told reporters Friday that he's gathered the signatures of more than 80,000 Albertans who are against NDP policies. 

"How can we, in this province, already obtain over 80,000 signatures and be ignored by the provincial press and the national press?" he said. 

He's raised more than $20,000 through crowdfunding and said he needs that money to show "ordinary Albertans" that they can have a voice. 

Clark said the group had always planned to become NDP members in the hopes that the government would start listening to the their concerns. 

Online mockery

Twitter users poked fun at Friday's brief rally for being the real-life version of the "kudatah."

Most people poked fun at the choice of location and Clark's plan to get more Albertans to join the NDP.

NDP MLA Michael Connolly posted a tongue-in-cheek tweet from the comfort of his office, where he remains employed. 

The premier's office has not yet responded to a request for comment. 

'Straight to the monarchy'

The group will present their petitions as "members of the Alberta NDP Party" on March 8, Clark said. 

He said he will know before that date if the premier wishes to hold a plebiscite or not.

"Should they choose not to hold plebiscites, the plebiscite and all the signatures will never go to them," Clark said. "It will go straight to the monarchy in London."

Clark added that he never plans to run for a political party.