Fence leads to confrontation between guards and pilgrims at Lac Ste Anne

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A fence erected at Lac Ste Anne to control an alleged drug and alcohol problem fed to an angry confrontation between pilgrims and security guards.

A crowd of angry people tried to prevent the gate from being locked at the annual pilgrimage July 22-26.

Drug dealers were believed to be plying their trade and using children as runners to pass between privately-owned by Oblate fathers.

A confrontation occurred when five security guards from United Protection Security with dogs attempted to lock the barbed wire metal fence. The fence cordoned off an area known as the midway and is sometimes referred to as West Edmonton Mall.

Amilla Letendre, owner of the two-acre midway, said she rents the area to merchants each year for the duration of the pilgrimage.

However, concerned individuals feel the problems with alcohol and drugs is occurring on both sides of the fence.

One source who refused to be identified said children are being used as runners for the dealers. He said he has personally confiscated drugs and "thrown their drugs away."

According to another source, at last year's pilgrimage and are "definitely" concerned about the increase in the drug trade and abuse of alcohol.

Because of the problem, security guards with dogs were hired to patrol the fence.

The problems started when they attempted to lock the gate between the sacred ground and the midway and were confronted by a group of angry people attempting to keep the gate open.

During the confrontation, objections were not about drugs, but the right to pass freely from one property to another without interference said one concerned visitor.

Many felt the presence of the dogs escalated the situation. During the commotion one of the dogs almost but a small child.

RCMP were called to back up security and at one point mid-way campers began swearing and throwing rocks and bottles at the security guards.

According to the guards no one was hurt during the fracas.

Another problem, according to Father Levangie, is the increase in offensive message on various T-shirts. He said some with Satanix messages are being sold on the midway.

"These articles are very offensive considering the religious significance of the pilgrimage," he said.

The gate will be open to visitors to the pilgrimage but controlled by security.