Freedom protesters back for another Saturday in Calgary; police say groups dispersed

Another Saturday, another protest in downtown Calgary. Police say this past weekend, about 300 protestors gathered for the demonstrations.

But, after weeks of honking horns, streets being blocked and consistent disruptions for members of the community, police say injunction rules were followed.

The Calgary Police Service (CPS) say in a statement that the group that assembled in Harley Hotchkiss Gardens headed along Stephen Ave. to City Hall, and that the roughly 100 people who arrived there later dispersed peacefully.

About 300 demonstrators at Harley Hotchkiss Park. Injunction rules are being abided by. #yyc pic.twitter.com/gmwfo2YX5J

— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) March 26, 2022

Another group that gathered at Prince’s Island Park moved to join the first gathering. One protester in that group was arrested for breaching the injunction by using a loudspeaker on a public street.

Police also say drivers in the area who were excessively honking their horns in relation to the demonstrations were being ticketed under the Traffic Safety Act. Twenty-three tickets were issued for excessive horn honking, while fourteen summons were issued to drivers using their horns.

Drivers of vehicles in the area are excessively honking their horns in relation to the demonstrations and are being ticketed under the Traffic Safety Act. #yyc pic.twitter.com/f6MTW8dUMv

— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) March 26, 2022

Last week, a group of about 1,000 people converged at Central Memorial Park in the city’s Beltline neighbourhood before moving on to City Hall, and several demonstrators were arrested.

The ongoing weekend protests against vaccine mandates and other public health restrictions have led to an outcry and counter-protests from residents, and an emergency injunction was granted March 18 which strengthens police authority to enforce the law.

“Significant police and partner resources were coordinated this week and today to ensure demonstrations in Calgary remained safe and minimized disruption to downtown residents and visitors,” police said in their statement issued late Saturday.

WATCH: CityNews’ Jasmine Vickaryous reports on the City of Calgary trying to put an end to the so-called freedom protests taking over downtown Calgary every Saturday.

They said that in the past week they had attempted to negotiate with all protest organizers “to come up with options that allowed for freedom of speech, but with as little impact to the local community as possible.”

Police said one person was arrested for outstanding warrants.

They said bylaw officers also issued one ticket for illegal use of a drone and one ticket for operating a business booth without a license.

– With files from the Canadian Press