More than 1,500 people gathered on the grounds of the Alberta legislature in Edmonton on Saturday for the last big independence rally before today’s referendum vote.

The rally was organized by Let Alberta Decide, the largest third-party advertiser on the independence side, led by constitutional lawyer Keith Wilson and rancher Tanya Clemens. The group rented buses to bring supporters in from across the province.

The weather tried to stop it. A severe windstorm hit the Edmonton area Saturday afternoon, causing crashes on the roads into the city and leaving out-of-town supporters stuck. The rally started about an hour late. Most people stayed anyway, holding onto their flags and their hats.

Turnout was lower than last year’s big rally at the legislature. Last year, there was no ballot. This year, people came out two days before the vote, in a windstorm.

“It’s time for Alberta to get it done,” one supporter told Rebel News. Another put it plainly: “Either way, we’re moving ahead with independence one way or another.”

Wilson did not promise a win. Polls show the remain side ahead. His point to the crowd was that a year ago, most people in this country did not believe Albertans could legally vote on their future at all.

“We’ve already won, because even those who do not support Alberta moving towards independence acknowledge we have a legal pathway to it,” Wilson said. Even remain supporters, he added, acknowledge “fundamental grievances that are legitimate and they must be addressed.”

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Organizers also told the crowd about volunteers out after midnight repairing Let Alberta Decide signs that had been cut down, and said they had caught one vandal in the act. Charges are pending, they said.

Then came the surprise. Sean Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion, happened to be in town. Strickland has been vocal in his support for Western independence, and he took the stage unannounced.

“You contribute more than your fair share,” Strickland told the crowd. “You guys don’t have to hope anymore. You have a chance to change it and get your freedom back.”

Not everyone at the legislature was happy to see the rally. A man supporting Thomas Lukaszuk’s Forever Canadian remain campaign confronted Rebel News on camera, swearing and giving the finger.

One or two angry men don’t speak for every Albertan voting to remain. Plenty of them disagree politely. A remain supporter known at the rally as “Mr. Canada” spent the afternoon talking with independence supporters and said the reception was generally positive.

“For most people, average Albertans, we can talk to each other,” one supporter said. “Remember that there’s a human behind these colours.”

By the time you read this, many Albertans will have already voted. Whatever happens tonight, the people at the legislature on Saturday say they aren’t going anywhere.