Alberta's G-8 summit protests may well go down in history books as some of the most peaceful on record.
After giving voice to their messages of peace and anti-globalization with no arrests and not a drop of tear gas spilled, G-8 protesters from around the world are packing up their sleeping bags, their protest signs and their ideals and heading towards home -- for now.
Preparing to board a Greyhound bus with friends bound for Toronto today, Emma Smith said she was optimistic -- albeit unsure -- about the effect protesters had on raising awareness, especially in Tory-run Alberta.
"People certainly have been welcoming, but I don't think a lot of them quite knew what to make of us," the 27-year-old said.
One man said he thought headway was made in mending corporate perception of protesters.
"Lots of conservatives are coming down from their downtown towers at lunch and stand around and watch because they're curious about what's happening," the man, who called himself Charles, said.
And as hundreds upon hundreds of protesters prepare to ride off into the sunset now that this year's G-8 summit meetings have drawn to a close, many say they can only hope their messages will echo around the world for some time to come.
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