Calgary police make six arrests at Beltline protests for violation of injunction

Calgary police say they made several arrests Saturday enforcing a temporary injunction against demonstrators at the protests at Central Memorial Park.

The scene was relatively peaceful at Saturday’s anti-vaccine, anti-mask protest.

Demonstrators gathered around noon at the park in a residential area just south of Calgary’s downtown.

Press conference with Chief @neufeld_mark following today's demonstrations #yyc https://t.co/cTi3Ael2KE

— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) March 20, 2022

Police say about 1,000 protesters gathered at Central Memorial Park in the Beltline in the afternoon before walking along the sidewalks to city hall in small groups.

Police handed out a number of tickets at city hall when some protesters gathered onto the street, breaching the temporary injunction that prohibits the blocking of roadways.

In total, six arrests were made for offences including violating the injunction and assaulting a peace officer.

Police say 10 traffic tickets and three parking tickets were issued, and one large semi-truck vehicle was removed off the premises under the Traffic Safety Act.

Read More: 

• Calgary police crack down on Beltline protesters downtown with injunction

• Calgary granted temporary injunction to address Beltline protests

• Calgary police urge protestors to steer clear of the Beltline area
  

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The protests in the Beltline neighbourhood came to a head last weekend when residents and others tried to take back their community.

And the two groups, residents including business owners and protesters, clashed in what police saw as a public-safety issue.

It led to an outcry from residents, a special city council meeting, a letter to the police commission from the mayor, and finally an emergency injunction by the city on Friday.

Several arrests have occurred. Enforcement is ongoing in Central Memorial Park. Details will be released at the conclusion of the event. Police are working to keep the two groups apart. pic.twitter.com/jGEWDB95kn

— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) March 19, 2022

A man who addressed those gathered at city hall Saturday said the protests would continue until all restrictions related to COVID-19 are gone.

Some members of the group moved back to Central Memorial Park, which is when the arrests happened.

Police say on social media that a few dozen protesters were still in Central Memorial Park later Saturday when members of the opposing group showed up. But officers kept the two groups apart and also had a large presence at city hall.