Calgary police arrest three people at protest in downtown Calgary

Three people have been arrested after a protest in downtown Calgary on Sunday, say Calgary police. 

One person was arrested for obstruction and assaulting a police officer, while the other two were arrested for obstruction only, according to a statement posted by Calgary police on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Police say approximately 115 people gathered at Tomkins Park on Sunday at around 2 p.m., for a 'non-permitted event'.

Officials didn't identify the group behind the event, however, on its Facebook page, an organization called Justice for Palestinians had invited people to attend a rally at the park.

About an hour and a half after the gathering began, the group marched westbound on 17th Avenue S.W., to 14th Street S.E., before returning to Tomkins Park at approximately 4 p.m. 

Police say the group did not heed its orders to stay on the sidewalk while they were marching, and that by doing so the protest impacted traffic throughout the area on Sunday afternoon. 

"In addition to enforcement for the use of amplification devices and non-permitted gatherings in a park, officers were deeply concerned with the number of children who were positioned on the roadway by parents participating in the march, at the back of the group where they were vulnerable to motor vehicles," police said on X. 

As well as making three arrests, police say they issued 12 tickets to protesters. 

"We will be working with our enforcement partners at Calgary Community Standards using the evidence gathered today to issue the appropriate tickets under Calgary bylaws," read the police statement. 

Police say anyone who participates in a parade without a permit can face fines of as much as $3,000.