Humanity on the Sidewalk: Geraldine’s 24-Hour Mission for Compassion

Geraldine Lidberg  (Iskotew ka piponihk Iskew) a local Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator.

In Medicine Hat, where winter temperatures flirt with frostbite, it takes a certain kind of determination—or madness, depending on who you ask—to spend 24 hours camping on a steel grate outside city hall. Geraldine, a local advocate for the homeless, did just that on November 27-28, braving -19°C under a tarp and layers of winter clothing to make a point. Her message? Compassion for those struggling with addiction and homelessness.

This wasn’t exactly a meticulously planned operation. “I didn’t wake up this morning planning on doing this,” Geraldine admitted. “I mentioned it a couple months ago, I said if I have to do it, I will!” And there she was, perched on the cold sidewalk, proving she meant it.

A Humble Stand (or Sit) Against Indifference

At a recent public meeting at Medicine Hat Police Service headquarters, Geraldine made her voice heard among 40 locals who gathered to vent their frustrations about property crime near The Mustard Seed. Many blamed the unhoused and those suffering from addiction for the rising tide of break-ins and petty thefts. Geraldine wasn’t having it.

“All of us get to drink alcohol and do drugs in the privacy of our homes!” she proclaimed, much to the chagrin of the crowd. While others clamored for tougher measures, more officers, and harsher enforcement, Geraldine called for something radical: humanity.

And now, here she was, putting her body on the cold concrete where her words had failed to resonate. From her makeshift camp on the steel grate that vents warm, humid air from the underground parking, Geraldine hoped to spark a conversation about the real issues—ones that no amount of squad cars or baton-wielding officers could solve.

Police Resources vs. Community Solutions

It’s worth noting the irony here: while Geraldine spent a night shivering on the street, Medicine Hat Police Service has been loudly advocating for more officers and resources. The department’s argument? They need more personnel to address rising crime. Yet, during recent police commission meetings, they’ve been remarkably tight-lipped on any measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to back up these demands. If you're asking for more funding, it might be helpful to show what the extra resources will achieve—or at least stop by for a chat with a woman camped out in -19°C weather.

Geraldine observed that, in nine hours of camping, not one officer had stopped to engage with her. Perhaps they were busy strategizing KPIs for their next funding request. Or maybe they were just warm and toasty in their patrol cars. Meanwhile, Geraldine reported that many caring locals stopped by to check on her, offering food, hot drinks, and conversation. “It’s the community that’s stepping up,” she said. “That’s what’s going to make the difference—not more police, but more people listening to each other.”

A Mission for Humanity (and Heat)

At 3 a.m., after nine hours on the sidewalk, Geraldine was still hopeful but noticeably cold. She spoke passionately about the need for the municipal government to play a bigger role. “We need to come to the table... or at least the sidewalk,” she said with a wry smile, gesturing to her makeshift tarp.

She envisions a city where government, community organizations, and police work together, not just to arrest their way out of social problems, but to address the root causes of addiction and homelessness. For Geraldine, that starts with listening to more voices and cultures—something she says is sorely lacking in the current approach.

The Cold Reality

It’s easy to dismiss Geraldine as an idealist or a rabble-rouser. But the fact remains: she spent 24 hours in the kind of conditions that many in this city wouldn’t endure for 10 minutes. Her protest, however small, shines a glaring light on the issues we’d rather ignore: the gaps in our social safety net, the lack of affordable housing, and the stigma that prevents meaningful dialogue about addiction.

Whether or not you agree with Geraldine’s methods, her message is hard to ignore—especially when it’s delivered on a frozen sidewalk. Medicine Hat’s police and municipal leaders might want to take a page from her book. After all, it’s hard to argue for more resources when a lone advocate with a tarp and a steel grate seems to be doing more to engage the community than an entire department.

Want to hear more from Geraldine? Check out our filmed conversation with her from the chilly sidewalk outside city hall: Watch the video here.

As Geraldine would likely say, this isn’t just about homelessness or addiction—it’s about humanity. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time we all came to the table. Or the sidewalk.