Anti-government protesters at Calgary rally outnumbered by anti-racist activists - Action News
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Calgary

Anti-government protesters at Calgary rally outnumbered by anti-racist activists

About 40 self-proclaimed 'Alberta patriots' protesting a 'tyrannical' Canadian government were met by hundreds of counter-protesters on the steps of Calgary City Hall on Sunday.

North American Freedom Fighters' protest outnumbered by anti-racism activists

Counter-protesters faced off with organizers of an anti-government rally in Calgary on Sunday. The event was put on by the North American Freedom Fighters (NAFF) as a 'tribute' to Canadian veterans and those fighting to 'protect our freedoms as Canadians.' (Mario De Ciccio/CBC)

About 40 self-proclaimed "Alberta patriots"protesting a "tyrannical"Canadian government were met by hundreds of counter-protesters on the steps of Calgary City Hall on Sunday.

The rally, called both"Deployment Day" and"Deplorable Day" by organizers on Facebook, was spearheaded by the North American Freedom Fighters (NAFF), formerly known as the Canadian Combat Coalition.

The event wasbilledas an anti-government rally and also a "tribute" to Canadian veterans and those fighting to "protect our freedoms as Canadians."

But some members of the group are also members of theWorldwide Coalition Against Islam (WCAI), a group that marched on city hall for an anti-Islam rally in June despite being denied a permit by the city.

Membersof the Calgary chapter ofNAFFdeclined to speak to CBC News and Radio-Canada, callingthe media outlets"fake news."

'I believe it is a temporary thing'

The NAFFandWCAIgathering wasoutnumbered by counter protesters fromVoices-Calgary'sCoalition of Two-Spirit &RacializedLGTBQIA+, as well as the Calgary Anti-Fascist Action.

Tet Millare, a member of Voices, said the theme of theNAFF'srally was disingenuous and the group usesveterans and religion"to mask their hatred."

Tet Millare said she attended the rally to 'come here and be counted' among other members of Voices - Calgary's Coalition of Two-Spirit & Racialized LGTBQIA+. (Mario De Ciccio/CBC)

"It's important to come here and be counted,"Millaresaid Sunday."We're here to fight for everyone's rights. Human rights are inherent in all of us. We're born with it, but some people think they're better."

Maha Alghoulattended the counter-protest with her young daughter Fatima Choudhryto educate her daughter on theanti-Islam movement, but also show "the amount of support" Muslims have from the community.

Maha Alghoul attended the counter-protest with her young daughter Fatima Choudhry Sunday. (Mario De Ciccio/CBC)

Alghoulsaid she thinks the increase ofanti-Muslim rhetoric from some Canadianswon't last forever.

"I believe it is a temporary thing and it will fizz away," Alghoul said."Because I think what we have in Canada is much stronger than what [hate groups]are promoting."

No arrests or injuries

Members of the"patriot group" CanadianThree Percenters were on-hand at the rally.

Beau Welling, president of Alberta Three Percenters,said the groupattended the rally to provide security for both sides and is a neutral party.

"What we believein, strongly believein, is freedom of speech," Welling said.

Beau Welling, president of Alberta Three Percenters, said the group is a neutral party and offered to provide security to both sides of the rally. (Mario De Ciccio/CBC)

Welling said members of the AlbertaThree Percenters offered security and to "protect" both protesters and counter-protesters. The offer was denied by anti-racism activists but accepted by theNAFF.

He saidhis group co-operated with the Calgary Police Service.

Welling said the group's volunteer security services includeshowing up early to events and ralliesto make sure counter-protesters haven't"set up any weapons or ditched any weapons they can get at through the rally."

The Calgary Police Service said no arrests were made during the protests.

With files from Mario De Ciccio