The likelihood of violence at today's Solidarity March "is about as likely as being hit by lightning," says one organizer.
Gordon Christie, spokesman for the Calgary and District Labour Council, said it will be a "family-friendly" gathering to protest globalization and the G-8 summit that's being held Wednesday and Thursday in Kananaskis.
"We're really trying to get our point across by tying global issues back to local issues Calgarians can relate to," like health care and education funding, and contentious government policies, Christie said.
About 3,000 march participants will make their way from Eau Claire to Olympic Plaza from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Insp. Al Redford of the Calgary Police Service's G-8 security office said the march is expected to be a peaceful demonstration.
"We anticipate this will be a peaceful march, but we'll be ready, of course, for every eventuality," he said.
Police have worked with march organizers over the past few months and expect only to have to provide traffic control as participants wind through busy downtown streets.
Due to the large volume of people set to converge at Eau Claire, market management has recommended businesses take any precautions they see necessary.
Brewsters Brewing Company and Restaurant will close its patio until after marchers pass.
"We have mild concern. I don't think anyone will get out of hand -- hopefully they'll practise what they preach and will protest peacefully," manager Jeff Jamieson said.
"Our concern is (the march) will affect businesses and slow us down."
Other downtown businesses have expressed concern about not only loss of business due to protests but damages that might ensue.
In light of violent clashes at a G-7 meeting in Halifax earlier this month, the owner of Centini's -- an Italian gourmet restaurant in the Telus Convention Centre downtown -- is a little nervous.
"We are definitely part of the whole fiasco, we are right in the middle of it," Fabio Centini said. "I watched what happened in Halifax and it made me a little concerned."
In preparation for the march and other anti-G-8 activities through the week, a number of activists have been gathering at the Bridgeland Community Association to create signs and props to voice peaceful opposition the summit.
Grant Poier, a local artist and co-chair of the Labour and Arts Committee, was overseeing activities there yesterday.
"The march and G-8 are timely, but I think a lot of people are coming here to get together and interact and be part of a larger conversation about global issues," he said.
Canadian Labour Congress representatives will also attend today's Solidarity March, one of the first major anti-G-8 activities in Calgary.
"Working-people across the country want the G-8 leaders to know that the prosperity they seek is simply not possible without a respect for human rights, labour rights and the environment," the CLC's Hassan Yussuff said.
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