Concerns raised about possible protest rolling through Calgary, surrounding area
Posted Feb 2, 2022 10:23 am.
Last Updated Feb 2, 2022 11:03 am.
There may be a significant protest rolling through Calgary in the coming days, and it has some members of the community concerned.
CityNews has learned a blockade, beginning in Bowness in northwest Calgary, will make its way along 16 Ave. all the way to 68 St. in the northeast. After reaching the far northeast part of the city, the rolling convoy will turn around and head back to Bowness.
https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1488923916680581122
The protest, dubbed “Operation Bearhug Calgary”, was initially planned for Wednesday afternoon, but updates from the convoy say the event has now been moved to Saturday at noon.
The biggest concern? The blockade will run directly in front of Foothills Hospital and could very likely impede access to the medical centre.
On top of that, 16 Ave. is a main artery in the city, and should lanes be completely blocked by the protest, emergency vehicles that use the road for easy access to get across Calgary will be blocked as well.
Calgary police say they are currently aware of a possible convoy and will respond accordingly to the situation.
Meanwhile, outside city limits, there have been reports on social media that a similar protest will happen along Highway 1, with a convoy planning to block off the highway between Banff and Canmore.
For ongoing traffic updates, and to learn if your route could be blocked by the protest, tune in to CityNews 660 for traffic updates every 10 minutes on the 1’s.
This is a developing story and more updates will be provided once they become available.
