Hundreds gather in Calgary to ‘walk for freedom,’ protest masks and other restrictions

CALGARY (CITYNEWS) – A few hundred Albertans gathered in downtown Calgary Saturday afternoon to protest government health restrictions.

Roughly 300 people congregated near city hall for a so-called “Walk for Freedom” opposing gathering limits and mask bylaws.

Provincial health regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic cap outdoor gatherings at 10 people in Alberta. Meanwhile indoor social gatherings are forbidden and capacity limits have been imposed on stores.

That didn’t stop hundreds from showing up to the rally organized by the group Freedom Unity Alliance.

I asked a cop how they would be enforcing the restrictions here and he said they were given no instruction. Not looking like tickets will be handed out here. #yyc pic.twitter.com/gJVtELu3S7

— Taylor Braat (@TaylorBraat_) November 28, 2020

Protesters brandished signs reading “Your Freedom Matters” and “Let’s Get Calgary Back to Work.” A large “Trump 2020” flag waved atop the noisy crowd.

“This is a movement for everybody,” said one protester into a microphone.

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Fines for breaking the health rules in Alberta range from $1,000 to $100,000 in extreme cases that make it to court.

CityNews spoke to a police officer on location at the protest. He said officers were given no instruction related to ticketing demonstrators.

This is the crowd at the ‘Walk for Freedom’ as the speeches begin. #yyc pic.twitter.com/eFE8ur53no

— Taylor Braat (@TaylorBraat_) November 28, 2020

Federal data showed that as of Friday, Alberta had the highest seven-day infection rate in Canada with 209 cases per 100,000 people.

The newest gathering measures came into effect Friday to help blunt the spike in cases.

Similar protests were organized for Edmonton, Canmore and Red Deer.

–with files from The Canadian Press