Arrests made amid rallies for Palestine and Israel in Calgary
Posted Oct 22, 2023 7:16 pm.
Last Updated Oct 22, 2023 7:20 pm.
Calgary police made three arrests Sunday afternoon during downtown protests for Palestine and Israel.
A rally for Palestine was scheduled for 2 p.m. in front of the Municipal Building, and a subsequent rally for Israel was happening at the same time in Olympic Plaza.
Officers estimate around 330 people were in attendance at City Hall, while around 20 people were across the street. Police say there has been escalating behaviour in the past few weeks that required intervention.
“While we will continue to uphold Charter rights to protest, we remind Calgarians that there are very definitive expectations and responsibilities to those who choose to protest. We will not tolerate those who put the safety of the public or police officers at risk,” a statement from CPS reads.
The arrests were in relation to protests at Olympic Plaza. It is unclear if police are referring to both areas on either side of MacLeod Trail SE.
Officers say the charges range from breaching the peace, and one for assault with a weapon.
“We are committed to working with groups who want to organize an event that provides a safe and peaceful opportunity for demonstrators to exercise their lawful rights. Our objective is to work with all parties to ensure public and officer safety, and to maintain orderly conduct and peace,” the police statement continues.
At around 3:30 p.m., the Palestinian rallies marched from the Municipal Building to Harry Hays and then proceeded back to City Hall. Meanwhile, most protestors in support of Israel left at around 3 p.m.
The protests finished at around 5 p.m.
The protests are amid the war between Israel and Hamas, which started on Oct. 7.
Over 1,400 people in Israel have been killed — mostly civilians slain during the initial Hamas attack. At this time, at least 212 people were reported to have been captured and taken to Gaza. Two Americans were released on Friday.
Meanwhile, over 4,600 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, including the disputed toll from a hospital explosion.
-With files from The Associated Press
