Tensions rise as Beltline counter-protestors confront anti-mandate demonstration
CBC
Tensions rose between anti-mandate protestors, counter-protestors and police on Saturday afternoon as the groups met along 17th avenue S.W. for the second weekend in a row.
Anti-mandate demonstrators waved Canadian flags, honked horns and shouted 'freedom' as they turned onto 17th avenue from fourth street S.W. before encountering a smaller group of counter-protestors.
Police attempted to keep the two groups apart, but protestors came face-to-face with only a line of police separating them. Eventually, anti-mandate protestors made it past the group of counter-protestors to continue down 17th avenue S.W.
Videos circulated on social media showed at least one member of the police seemingly pushing back counter-protesters.
Calgary police said they were unaware of the incident.
While anti-mandate protestors have been active in the Beltline area for around a year, a smaller group of counter-protestors has now formed.
Counter-protestors have said they are standing in solidarity with Beltlines residents and businesses who have grown increasingly frustrated with the anti-mandate demonstrations over the past months.
Hunter Yaworski, spokesperson for the group said that their aim is to reclaim the Beltline on Saturday afternoons.
"We are allowed to be here and voice our opinions and frustrations to [the anti-mandate demonstrators]," said Yaworski.
"I can't go down 17th avenue and feel safe, it's incredibly loud, a lot of people I know just leave their house all day because they don't want to hear the constant noise."
Yaworski said many Beltline residents are unclear why the anti-mandate protests have continued in light of the Alberta government ending almost all COVID-19-related restrictions on March 1.
Anti-mandate demonstrators held anti-Trudeau signs and sang the Canadian anthem as they made their way down 17th avenue S.W.
One vocal supporter of the demonstrations, who was unable to attend Saturday's protest, told CBC and other media in a statement that he planned to continue joining the rallies to protest federal international travel restrictions and those who had been 'unjustly' put on leave from their jobs due to their vaccination status.
Jake Eskesen said he had lost trust in the Alberta government and provincial health services.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.