Who let the dogs out? Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!
Three weeks ago, a plenty-peeved Mayor Bronco kiboshes any chatter the city's refusal to allow activists public park space would end up in a judicial joust at the courthouse.
"Let their legal beagles bark away," blasts Bronco, at the tense time. Well, now they're barking. Loudly.
This morning the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Alberta Federation of Labour are going after the city.
The story starts when the city turns down applications from the activists for a park to gather for three days of music (including Bruce Cockburn) and speakers on Third World debt, the AIDS crisis in Africa, privatization, sustainable development, trade and the environment, sweatshops and fair labour practices.
The three-day protestfest would run during the day but would not be a place to crash overnight. The organizers say they want a folk-festival atmosphere.
They apply for Shaw Millennium Park. Rejected.
They apply for any and all other city parks. Rejected.
The mayor says the parks are off-limits to the activists.
The muddled matter is now going before a judge.
Alan Borovoy of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association leads the Charter charge.
"What is at issue is the blanket prohibition of assembling for political purposes in a park. That is an infringement of the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly," says Borovoy, who'd like the court today to order the city to provide some space for activists during G-8.
"I can't believe a city the size and importance of Calgary doesn't have any park space to accommodate this," says the skeptical solicitor, who'd also like the court to make sure there is no ban on future political expression in Calgary green space.
Bronco says activists are out of luck because no city park is suitable. He claims the issue is organization, not ideology.
There is a rolling of the eyes in the activist camp.
"It is outrageous the extent the city is willing to go to prevent citizens from speaking their minds. They say we are dangerous, irrational, disorganized and not to be listened to," says Sarah Kerr, a prime mover for the park.
"If we'd been able to do what we planned to do, some people might have realized we actually have something to say."
No matter what the courts say the protesters will go ahead and use a city park for what they call a people's picnic.
It's from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow at Riley Park.
It is a smooth move. You see, a picnic doesn't require a permit from the city. A picnic is a picnic.
At this picnic with a purpose, veggie burgers, soda pop and bottled water will be served, along with music, speakers and a thousand copies of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"We want to create a space allowing for peaceful dissent," says people's picnic poobah Loretta Gerlach.
"Parks are public space and we're just going to do it there."
Ah ... not so fast, cautions Mayor Bronco.
If this is a protest masquerading as a picnic, the cops could still get the call to shut it down.
"They can have a picnic, as long as it's peaceful," the mayor says of the prospect of the protesting picnickers.
"But if thousands show up, with boom boxes and stands, that's not exactly a picnic. They're running a fine line, and what the fine line is rests with the chief of police. And I will back the chief on whatever decision he takes.
"We can't help those who willingly and knowingly break the law. They have no one to blame but themselves for any action the police may take."
Indeed, the line is drawn.
Borovoy: "I think the mayor might have a case if he was sitting down and working on something with these people."
Bronco: "We will defend our bylaws."
G-8 Minus One. All the dogs are out.
Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!
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