With Bruce Cockburn and free food the star attractions, several hundred anti-G-8 protesters took part in an illegal public gathering yesterday in Riley Park.
Union members flipped hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs while several entertainers and speakers spread the group's anti-establishment message.
"It's fabulous, this is overwhelming," said Gordon Christie of the Calgary and District Labour Council.
"We usually don't have as many people and as many wonderful entertainers.
"We're all happy campers -- no check that, we're all happy picnickers," said Christie, alluding to the city's refusal to let protesters camp in city parks.
While the gathering was in violation of the city's bylaw on public gatherings, Calgary police did nothing to prevent the event taking place.
Other than two early flyovers by the HAWCS helicopter, there was no evidence of a police presence at the three-hour party.
PROVE POSITIVE
"The riot cops stayed away, proving that when the riot cops stay away, there's no riot," speaker Sarah Blackstock told the cheering crowd.
Cockburn, who came to Calgary specifically to take part in anti-G-8 demonstrations, said it's important such events don't create an "us-against-them" mentality.
He noted the vandalism and violence "being trumpeted by the mayor and other people have not come to pass."
"I hate it when there's and us-and-them mentality between cops and society," he told the Sun, before playing three songs for the appreciative crowd.
Perry Loeffler was one of many city residents who wandered down to the Hillhurst-area park to take in the festivities.
"Free food's just a bonus, I'm just here to see what it's all about," said Loeffler as he chomped down a burger.
"I'm not anti-G-8, but I think everybody's got a message and I'd like to hear what they have to say."
Angela McGlynn also enjoyed the free food, but was at Riley Park for the protest.
She said such events can only be successful "if the politicians can hear what we have to say and not hide in a bush somewhere."
Chris O'Halloran, of the United Food and Commercial Workers, said union members gave away free pop and fruit along with 2,600 burgers, 1,100 veggie burgers and 2,000 hot dogs.
Meanwhile, a small group of protesters wrote out the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in chalk along downtown sidewalks.
CHALK NOT PERMANENT
Jason Garred said the "people's security perimeter" which was drawn outside the G-8 security area downtown was meant to remind people of their rights.
"As far as we know, chalk is legal because it's not permanent and we're not interested in defacing the city," he said.
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