The Beltline protest injunction, in place for nearly six weeks, has come to an end.
The City of Calgary said Tuesday that they’ve discontinued their application for a permanent injunction. The temporary injunction came to an end as a result of that decision.
After months of protests and escalation that disrupted the Beltline communities and saw two sides mount opposing protests, the city sought – and was granted – an injunction that prevented continued gatherings along the 17 Avenue SW corridor.
The temporary injunction was granted March 18.
“Since that time, the injunction has served its intended purpose, which was to deter ongoing public safety issues, noise issues, traffic disruptions and other concerns raised by residents and businesses,” the city said in a prepared release.
Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott had encouraged area residents to lodge their protest complaints to Calgary 311. That resulted in consecutive weekends where calls spiked.
At that time Walcott suggested the city needed more specific evidence of the impact in order to seek the injunction.
“It wasn’t until the evidence was collected to the degree that was necessary, which was only last two weeks ago, that the application even began,” he said at the time.
The city, in its prepared release, said they believed the injunction is no longer required and any ongoing activity could be addressed under existing laws and bylaws.
“The City will continue to work collaboratively with its enforcement partners to monitor the impacts of any ongoing protest activity and whether it is necessary to seek future injunctive relief from the Courts,” they said.
