“Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”.That was the chant that could be heard from approximately 1,000 voices at Central Memorial Park in Calgary’s Beltline district as crowds — and a heavy police presence — gathered for a much-anticipated protest against COVID-19 mandates..By 1 p.m., about 200 flag-waving people started to come together at the park. Less than an hour later, that number had grown to more than 1,000. Then 2,000..The smell of marijuana hung heavy in the air; no doubt the People’s Party of Canada’s temporary pizza joint was a ‘must visit’ attraction for many.. P2-1One of the Freedom Convoy trucks parked at Central Park. Photo by Dave Naylor, Western Standard .The march brought to a head disputes between the protesters and residents of the Beltline, who say similar rallies during the two years of the pandemic have disrupted the neighbourhood..At a nearby anti-protest gathering, one masked hero shoved Western Standard reporter Melanie Risdon without provocation..On Friday, the city was granted an injunction to stop protesters from going on 17 Ave. and blocking intersections in the Beltline..Despite the fact the rallies have been peaceful and filled with speeches and music, many say the protesters are simply not wanted, with Beltline resident Kev Sloosh tweeting last month that mandate protesters were “terrorizing” the local community..Calgary cops blocked off the surrounding streets and vowed they will not let the protesters march along 17 Ave..Protesters began to move in an orderly fashion from the park towards city hall, in preparation for scheduled 2 p.m. speeches..Marchers kept to the sidewalks and obeyed traffic lights..The injunction prohibited — among other things — amplified speakers and car horn honking. One supporter, who was apparently unaware of the court order, drove by the Central Park site honking his horn. An unmarked police car quickly slipped up behind the driver and pulled him to the side of the road..At city hall, lines of police marched out front and pushed protesters and media back to the sidewalk. Police horses followed. Tactical paramedics with backpacks loaded with supplies could be seen throughout police lines..The CPS Mountain Bike Patrol then moved through with their bicycles to make sure no protesters formed a barricade along Macleod Tr. The crowd booed at the tops of their lungs as police — pockets loaded with wrist-binding zip ties — moved through them.. a-4Police line in front of city hall. Photo by Dave Naylor, Western Standard .As well, hundreds of police and provincial sheriffs were spotted hunkered in various vehicles in the area, as about 100 more ringed city hall.. P4Police line at city hall .Police quickly opened a car trail that allowed vehicles to go through the middle of the protest, as car and truck drivers continued to lean on the horn. Most were not pulled over, but police did videotape the offending vehicles’ licence plates. No doubt a nasty piece of mail will arrive shortly..Police had a flatbed trailer parked in front of city hall, presumably to tow away protesters’ vehicles..A small number of anti-protesters — about 20, many with their faces covered — watched the main protest from Olympic Plaza, many wearing banners stating “defund the police.”.They were encircled by a protective detail from the mountain bike unit..Police moved in and removed a couple of vocal protesters. They just moved them back to the sidewalk, giving them a stern talking to. No arrests were seen..Marchers hurled abuse at the police, who remained stone-faced..After about an hour of speeches and music the crowd left city hall and marched back to Central Park..But when they arrived there they were met by a wall of police who refused to let them enter..At one point, things got tense around one of the counter-protesters who was carrying a flag with a slogan used by a militant ANTIFA. The two groups clashed and arrests were made..At one point, police ran headlong into a crowd bowling people over while four counter-protesters were attacking two freedom protesters..As police worked to move people out of the park, the Western Standard’s Risdon, while pushed in one direction by police from the mountain bike unit, was kicked in the side by a mounted police officer..Eventually, counter-protesters decided to wrap up around 5 p.m. and left Central Memorial Park heading west on 13 Ave..Calgary Police Service Chief Mark Neufeld said six people were arrested for breaking the injunctions. Another 10 people received traffic tickets. All six arrested were from the protesters’ side..He said exchanges between the two groups were “hostile and tense.”.Neufeld said a small group of both sides did seem intent on a confrontation..The Western Standard’s Melanie Rison, James Finkbeiner and Dave Naylor contributed to this story.
