Charges laid in fight following anti-mask rally
Posted Mar 30, 2021 9:13 am.
Last Updated Mar 30, 2021 9:14 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – One man has been charged after punching another man in a wheelchair during an anti-mask rally in Calgary.
Police went through surveillance and officer body-worn camera footage to sort out the melee that happened on Mar. 20 following a rally at Prince’s Island Park.
A man in a wheelchair confronted a sign-waving protester, who had separated from the main group.
It’s believed the man in the wheelchair shouted an offensive name to the other man which quickly escalated to physical contact, with the wheelchair-bound man being punched in the face, and then a woman hit in the chest with the end of a flagpole.
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Officers said at the time neither the two men nor others that joined the fight provided statements.
As a result, the 65-year-old man who attacked the man in the wheelchair and woman has been charged with assault and assault with a weapon.
Although the man in the wheelchair appeared to be the instigator, police said the response was beyond reasonable limits.
Police said a review of this investigation found the assault did not meet the threshold for hate crimes or hate-motivated criminal allegations.
The police service said finding a balance between the rights and freedoms of expression, with public safety and the impact these rallies have on the community, is extremely challenging but they strongly condemn racism and hate.
