Protestors charged after reports of assaults outside Calgary courthouse

Two peoplehave been charged after multiple assaults on bystanders that occurred during demonstrations outside the Calgary Courts Centre that called for the firing of a city police officer.

In recent weeks, there have been more than a dozen complaints of aggressiveand abusive behaviour on the part of demonstratorsto passersby, according to arelease issued by Calgary Police Serviceon Thursday.

The protests were sparked by the case ofConst. Alex Dunn, who was charged with assaultinga Black woman in 2017.

Dunn has since been convicted of assault causing bodily harm and was handed a one-month sentence half to be served under house arrest, half under a curfew.

The protestors have beencalling for Dunn to be fired. They have also expressedconcerns aboutracism within the police force and a perceived lack of accountability.

CPS said in a statementthat the chief of police does not have legal authority to impose discipline or dismiss an officer for serious misconduct and thatunder the provincialPolice Actthe matter mustsent to a disciplinary hearing.

"Given that this process is highly regulated and quasi-judicial, it takes time to get through it," the release says.

"Constable Dunn remains relieved from duty without pay and is currently not in possession of his service-issued firearm, use of force equipment or badge. This will not change until the conclusion of his case."

Complaints of assault

Police say that while the forcerespects the right to protest, in this case, there have been incidents that created public safety concerns.

On Aug. 5, police say they were called to the courthousefor a report that a man had been attacked by several individuals after it was alleged that the victim was taking photos of a demonstration.

Police say security footageshowed a woman throwing water at the victim and pouring itover his camera and equipment. The womanalsoallegedly struck the victim in the head and broke his glasses after grabbing them off his head.

A male protestor alsoallegedly knocked the victim to the ground and held him.

Earlier this week, a court employee reported to policethat a man and a woman repeatedly approached him aggressively and made several racialcomments as he was attempting to leave the building. He said it happened over several days.

On Wednesday, it was reported two protestorsassaulted a citizen with a sign after the person attemptedto enter the courthouse, police said.

On Thursday,two protestors outside the courthouse werearrested after an alleged assault. Police said protestors assaulted and struckan off-duty courthouse employee with a megaphone at around 12:45 p.m.

After investigating the incidents, police have laid several charges.

Taylor McNallie,30, was charged with:

• One count of assault with a weapon for an incident on Aug. 12.
• One count of assault with a weaponfor an incident on Aug. 11.
• One count each of uttering threats and criminal harassmentfor an incident on Aug. 9.
• One count of assault and two counts of mischief under $5,000for an incident on Aug. 5.

McNallieis set toappear in court on Oct. 1.

She was previously charged with assault with a weaponafter an incident at aSeptember 2020 anti-racism event in Red Deer, Alta.

The RCMP says she is scheduled to appear in court this November onthose charges.

Jacinta Prodaniuk, 27, is charged with:

• One count of assault for an incident on Aug. 12.
• One count of assault for an incident on Aug. 11.

Prodaniuk is to appear in court onOct. 8.

A third suspect has also been identified for an incident that occurred Aug. 9,but charges have not been laid yet.

A fourth suspect is a man believed to have held the victim down on Aug.5but has not yet been been identified.

Anyone with information about the man's identity or whereabouts is asked to call the police using the non-emergency number, 403-266-1234, or to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.