Calgary Beltline ‘freedom’ rallies continue despite city COVID mandates ending

Beltline business owners have been left frustrated with the ongoing weekend protests.

Hundreds of people gathered in Central Memorial Park Saturday afternoon carrying Canadian flags, playing loud music, and honking horns while cheering to speeches in the park.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek says it’s past time to deal with the so-called ‘freedom rallies’ that have been happening in the Beltline community every Saturday for weeks now.

She took to Twitter saying she’s spoken with residents and business owners who have become frustrated with the disruption.

3/4 Community members standing their ground are not “counter-protestors”. They are people with a right to a safe & welcoming community. And while Council has no formal ability to direct the police or other enforcement bodies, we can be vocal & stand with our fellow Calgarians.

— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) March 13, 2022

She says at this point the protests are not about mandates because those have been lifted. Gondek says enforcement agencies have allowed the demonstrations to grow and notes the rallies are not fizzling out.

Gondek calls it not a protest, but rather a parade.

She also points out that over the last couple of weeks merchandise and food vendors have regularly set up at Central Memorial Park but no permits or licenses have been approved.

Read More:

• Calgary considering next steps as COVID-19 protests continue

• Beltline pandemic protests in Calgary pose threat to public safety: neighbourhood association

• Counter-protest pops up in Calgary amid so-called ‘freedom marches’

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She says the response from law enforcement has been to let the rallies fizzle out, yet they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.

Calgary police also released a statement saying the protesters created a blockade on 17 Avenue southeast for more than an hour on Saturday.

Please read our statement in response to today's protest in downtown #yyc. pic.twitter.com/oXUMchtE7j

— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) March 13, 2022

Police say they had to make the decision to deescalate the crowd that was disturbing nearby residents and businesses.

Gondek made it clear city council has no power to tell police how to do their jobs, but added Calgarians can be vocal and support a safe and welcoming community.