Photos / video: Beltline protest and counter-protest in Calgary
A member of a group a large group of people protesting covid-19 yell at a group of counter protesters on 17 Avenue SW in Calgary on Saturday, March 5, 2022. ANNA BURNS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Hundreds once again converged on Calgary’s Beltline area, as two sides staged protests Saturday.
It’s estimated that roughly 50 counter-protesters and 300 freedom rally members met along 17 Avenue SW Saturday afternoon.
The main protest group has been protesting weekly in the Beltline area, much to the chagrin of local businesses and residents. Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott has been encouraging citizens to call Calgary 311 with any complaints related to the protests.
So far, 311 calls in the area have spiked over the past two weekends. Walcott said that’s the start to gathering the evidence they need to examine further action to quell the disruptions.
A large group of people gathers at Central Memorial Park in Calgary on Saturday, March 5, 2022 to protest health mandates related to COVID-19. The protest is organized by Calgary Freedom Central and meets every week in the Beltline neighbourhood to listen to speeches and then march down the streets. ANNA BURNS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYA large group of people marched down 17th Avenue in Calgary on Saturday, March 5, 2022. The group is protesting against COVID-19 health mandates. ANNA BURNS FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYProtesters and counter-protesters met at 7 Street SW and 17 Avenue SW in Calgary on Saturday, March 5, 2022. The counter-protesters are asking the protesters to stop their loud, weekly protests in the Beltline neighbourhood. ANNA BURNS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYThe Calgary Police stand between protesters and counter-protesters in the Beltline in Calgary on Saturday, March 5, 2022. ANNA BURNS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYA large group of people marched down 17 Avenue SW in Calgary on Saturday, March 5, 2022. The group is protesting against Covid-19 health mandates. ANNA BURNS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYMembers of a protest against Covid health mandates yell at a group of people who showed up to support the mandates in Calgary on Saturday, March 5, 2022. ANNA BURNS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYA member of the Covid-19 freedom protesters shouts at counter-protesters in Calgary on Saturday, March 5, 2022. ANNA BURNS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY