Mayor Dave Bronconnier says he will not cave in to what he terms an 11th-hour plea from activists to provide them with a venue for protests during the G-8 summit.
On Friday, individuals representing organized labour stood outside City Hall, demanding city council give them public space to stage a "solidarity village" -- a three-day education and music festival. It would be held in Calgary during the meeting of world leaders in Kananaskis on June 26 and 27.
"The political will to ensure freedom of association and speech at the time of the G-8 in Kananaskis does not appear to be present in city council at this time," said Mike Desautels, a representative of the Canadian Labour Congress.
"More foot-dragging is an indicator that the City of Calgary is hindering peaceful protest."
The labour organizations submitted their request to use public space this week. They wanted to use Shaw Millennium Park downtown, but Bronconnier said that is not an option.
"We've known about the G-8 for almost a year now. To hear a demand letter come forward within five business days that an application be processed and a decision be rendered is insulting to our city staff," he said.
Desautels said the solidarity village will be a gathering of 15,000 people including music and educational activities and will cover about 16 hectares.
The group initially eyed Stoney Nation land near Kananaskis, but the band council refused its permission.
Then solidarity village planners turned to Shaw Millennium Park, but Bronconnier said the city's parks should not be used for political rallies.
"It's an inappropriate use of this public park," he said Friday at the park. "It's a multi-purpose park that was built for cyclists (and) skateboarders to use. It's not built for 15,000 people in a solidarity village."
Police want the activists to find a common area to protest next month.
"It's to everyone's advantage -- the police, the public and the protesters -- if there's a point that everybody could agree on where peaceful protest could take place," said Calgary police Deputy Chief Jim Hornby.
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