A major G-8 prayer vigil was cancelled abruptly by the city Wednesday, then granted new life on Thursday after media inquiries and a series of emergency meetings with senior parks staff.
A permit for the event at Foothills Athletic Park tonight was originally granted May 17.
John Chaput, a city spokesman on G-8 issues, says the cancellation was simply a misunderstanding -- but activists and civil libertarians believe it's more evidence of a city government intent on quashing dissent during the G-8 summit.
"This was not an attempt to stop this (from taking place)," Chaput said. "We made a mistake -- there is no other way around it. There's no point in trying to place blame on anyone. They will be able to have their vigil (tonight)."
City hall officials rescinded permission for the vigil when they learned up to 1,500 activists, social justice advocates, religious leaders and others were planning to gather under the stars following the opening session of the G-6B People's Summit at the University of Calgary.
Chaput said city parks officials thought only a couple hundred people would attend the vigil.
The application clearly projected attendance of 1,500, according to a vigil organizer.
"This is just insane," organizer Cathy Little had told the Herald Thursday afternoon, before the city reinstated the event. "It's not right: This is a peace vigil, not a protest."
Some activists, however, believe it shouldn't matter whether it is a vigil or protest because people have the democratic right to assemble and have their voices heard.
Earlier this month, the city refused a permit for a Solidarity Village for protesters, and Mayor Dave Bronconnier has warned more than once that "parks are off limits" to activists.
"We have put in 800 years of work trying to establish a civil society where people are free to speak out on government lines, and now we have a situation here in Calgary where it seems dissent is being demonized," University of Calgary law professor Kathleen Mahoney said.
"This is a discouraging setback to the basic rights that have advanced our country."
The city outlaws public addresses and demonstrations unless a permit is granted.
Mahoney, an internationally respected advocate of human rights and Governor General's award winner, says the use of the bylaw to ban protesters from public places is a "transparent ruse."
Calgary's stance is especially offensive to young people, she says.
"They are less empowered," she said. "They don't have access to major media . . . but they are interested in the future, they are very engaged, they want to know what's going on.
"The way they can be heard is by marching in the street, going to a festival, sitting in a demonstration or going to public places where people are speaking. In Calgary, people are not being allowed to gather, and it is just nonsense. That is very serious, because that is what public space is all about."
In seeming contrast, Halifax city officials allowed protesters to use Parade Square during the G-7 finance ministers meeting last weekend without obtaining a permit. A skirmish resulted when 200 protesters squared off against 500 police.
After nearly 30 minutes of chanting slogans and drum-beating, a few protesters began throwing water balloons at riot police.
Some pushing and shoving followed. When some demonstrators tried to push through police lines, an RCMP tactical team fired tear gas and several hours of confrontation ensued.
Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly told the Herald: "Parade Square has long been known as a place of comment . . . for our annual Remembrance Day events because it's right in front of our war memorial -- it's those soldiers who fought for the right for people to be able to demonstrate."
For the most part, use of Halifax public park space is wide open to all groups without a formal permit, Kelly said.
It's only in circumstances where large crowds might be expected that the city might require a permit for an event.
"We are not that stringent and restrictive. We try to be open as best we can and try to avail ourselves to being available for public usage at most times," Kelly said Thursday.
A permit, he said, wouldn't have changed what happened.
"Once you tear down the barricades and start throwing ball-bearing projectiles with sling-shots and balloons filled with water, vinegar and other things, the rules of engagement change. You don't break the law of the land."
As for the prayer vigil in Calgary, Chaput said, officials now have a better understanding of the purpose and size of the event. He apologized to Little for causing distress.
"(Chaput) apologized for putting me through the wringer," said a greatly relieved Little.
"He appreciated I had gone through the proper channels. I'm just glad it got all sorted out."
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