Calgary Police Prepare for G7 Summit Protests

Calgary Police Prepare for G7 Summit Protests

The Calgary Police Service is gearing up for a significant influx of protesters in the city ahead of the G7 summit in Kananaskis next month. A substantial police presence is expected at hotels hosting G7 delegates and around the airport where they arrive and depart.

Police Presence and Safety Measures

Supt. Joe Brar, the Calgary Police Service G7 events security director, stated that there will be a large police presence at key locations to ensure public safety during the summit.

Designated Protest Zones

Several locations throughout the city have been designated as protest zones to accommodate demonstrators:

  • Municipal Plaza
  • Enoch Park at 1102 Macleod Tr. S.E.
  • 15th Street and McKnight Blvd

The area at 15th Street and McKnight Blvd has been specifically chosen to provide protesters with visibility as delegates travel between venues via motorcade through downtown Calgary or along nearby routes like Crowchild Trail N.W.

Cooperation from Protesters

While remaining within these designated zones is not legally required, Brar emphasized the importance of cooperation from protesters:

“There’s no legal requirement to stick to them but we’re asking for cooperation.”

Engagement with Protest Organizers

In an effort to foster communication, police have reached out to protest organizers. Brar noted:

“We’ve reached out to protest organizers.”

Traffic Concerns

Brar also mentioned concerns about potential disruptions due to increased traffic volumes on highways leading into Banff National Park and surrounding areas near Kananaskis Country National Parks, such as Canmore and Lake Louise. However, these concerns appear manageable based on current information regarding planned road closures by RCMP officers stationed along those routes prior to the opening day on June 15th.

Conclusion

Overall, it seems that preparations are in place to ensure a smooth event, despite some potential issues. The hope is that everyone remains safe until after June 17th, when normalcy is expected to return.

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