Calgary police handed out a dozen tickets and arrested three people following a pro-Palestinian protest on 17 Avenue Sunday afternoon.
Around 2 p.m., a group of around 115 protestors gathered at Tompkins Park for what police call a “non-permitted event.”
Police and bylaw officers were on scene to tell the group about their violation of city bylaws, including the use of an amplication device “which caused disruption to the community,” according to a social media post.
The group marched west on 17 Avenue SW to 14 Street SW around 3:30 p.m., at which time police say they “spilled” out onto the road, and ignored orders from officers to get back on the sidewalk.
“Despite efforts by officers, including the use of bikes to fence off the road and numerous requests by loud hailer, they refused to cooperate,” the Calgary Police service said.
The group turned around and headed back east, past Tompkins Park to 4 Street SW, before getting back to the part around 4:30 p.m.
Police say the march impacted traffic in the area for much of the afternoon.
Twelve tickets issued Sunday, but police say more are expected in the days and weeks to come.
Three people were also arrested — two for obstruction and one for obstruction and assaulting a police officer, CPS says. Charges are pending and no other information is available.
The service says it will be working with Calgary Community Standards officials to issue more city bylaw tickets using evidence collected Sunday.
“In addition to enforcement for the use of amplification devices and non-permitted gatherings in a park, officers were deeply concerned with the number of children who were positioned on the roadway by parents participating in the march, at the back of the group where they were vulnerable to motor vehicles,” police said.
CPS says anyone who participates in a parade without a permit can face a fine up to $3,000.
CityNews has reached out to protest organizers for comment.