On Friday afternoon, a crowd gathered in Market Square to help bring awareness to racism and the stories surrounding it.

As the March Out Racism event entered its fourth year, Icasiana De Gala, executive director of the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre, said that attendance was at its highest, but she wanted to attract even more participants.

"I wish there were more. These are people who already know the issues, who are already doing thinks [to stop racism], so I would love to have ordinary people come and just join us."

At this year's event, dignitaries such as Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley, and Cypress Hills-Grasslands MP David Anderson spoke at the event, but a focus was put on sharing stories from those who experienced racism.

In all but one case, accounts of racism were not shared by those who experienced it, in the interest of anonymity.

Emmanuel De Gala shared his own story of racism in Swift Current which saw him be confronted by a group of men who verbally assaulted him over the colour of his skin.

"It felt great,” he said about sharing his past experience with the crowd at Market Square. “There's a lot of support in the community, and it feels safer. The other stories that were told, those weren't the actual people who told them, but I hope with this turnout, it would have the effect that people would want to actually speak out themselves."

Icasiana said that there are some challenges that newcomers to the city face, but telling stories like the ones shared during the meetup was a good way of educating the public and bringing about change.

"Some experience it more than others, every person has a different experience,” she said. “It is our responsibility to educate the community and also to make our newcomers feel more welcome, but it's not just us, it's the community embracing newcomers."

Speaking on the City of Swift Current's plans for growth, she said making the city more welcoming could play a role in doing so.

"If we continue to make Swift Current the welcoming place that it is, then people would stay... People come, they may go, but if they love the community and feel welcomed by the community, by the people here, that's a great retention plan for our city."

The demonstration is being planned again for next year.