The City of Calgary is facing protest about the right to protest, after banning political rallies from public parks during the upcoming G-8 summit.
Stephen Jenuth, president of the Alberta Civil Liberties Association, said Friday that people have a right to protest, and the city has a responsibility to set aside public spaces during the summit.
Jenuth is calling on the City of Calgary and other levels of government to provide safe venues for activists who wish to publicly voice their opinions.
"Democracy requires more than lip service to the concept of freedom of speech and assembly," he said.
"It requires that we act, through our governments to encourage the free exchange of views -- thereby allowing each of us to come to our own assessment of the merits of those views."
Earlier this week, Mayor Dave Bronconnier said he would not allow public parks to be used for "political rallies."
The mayor suggested instead that activists try to rent space at the city's three major public campgrounds during the June 26 and 27 summit meeting in Kananaskis.
Peter Brodsky, spokesman for the mayor's office, said that message had not changed.
Jenuth argues that, during past elections, the city has been required under the Canadian Charter of Rights and freedoms to allow the use of public spaces, such as roads, for signs.
While not advocating a tent city, Jenuth would like to see a venue, such as Shaw Millennium Park, be available as a "protest station" similar to London's Hyde Park Corner.
Forcing protests onto streets will increase the likelihood of violent clashes with police, he said.
"We have to let people around the world know that we're a democracy and we value protests and dissent, and think it's appropriate."
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