They marched, they sang and then they went home at the end of a peaceful protest.
All fears about possible violence at the first official 2002 G-8 protest yesterday were quickly dismissed as about 3,000 people marched downtown from Eau Claire Market to Olympic Plaza without incident.
"It all came off the way we expected it would," Calgary police Staff Sgt. Bob Wiltshire said as he watched people milling about in the plaza at the end of the parade.
"It's well-behaved and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."
The parade route was lined with police from Calgary, Edmonton and cities in other provinces.
Most were on high-tech mountain bikes, others were on foot and still more police were seated atop motorcycles. There was not a single unruly incident to note, nor a single arrest.
"The amazing thing is many of the protesters wanted to talk to us," said police Insp. Al Redford, who has helped in the G-8 planning since it was announced last year the conference would be held in Kananaskis.
"Look, with all due respect to other cities which have held similar events, they aren't Calgary," he said. "This community has a strong history of support for its police and of police support for the community."
And the peace did not go unnoticed by those who have been in cities where violence erupted.
After being gassed and temporarily blinded during the riotous conclusion of last year's Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Marc Pepin, a reporter for Broadcast News, found relief in Calgary's peaceful demonstration.
Quebec police donned aggressive "Robo-Cop" outfits and ruled with a heavy hand, but Calgary cops wielded discretion and patience, Pepin said.
"I notice it was a very light police presence, and it was very nice to see this protest today," he said.
But yesterday's love-in doesn't mean police are relaxing, Redford said, adding, "We will remain at a high state of readiness."
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