There were strong voices but no violence as a rally in front of Calgary City Hall went off without a hitch on Tuesday night.
The candlelight rally began in front of the city’s municipal building at 6 p.m. and featured chants and speeches, decrying racism and a U.S. court decision not to indict the police officer responsible for the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Brown, 18, was shot by Darren Wilson, a member of Ferguson’s police department in August 2014.
Earlier this week, a U.S. grand jury made the decision not to pursue legal action in the case, setting off a riot in the community outside of St. Louis, rife with widespread looting.
Thousands of National Guardsmen were called to the area on Tuesday to prevent further violence.
Over the past 24 hours, rallies and protests have sprung up all over the U.S. and Canada but they’ve been peaceful, and the attendees say they do understand the feelings, but not the destruction taking place.
“I was very shocked,” said one of the Calgary participants. “I couldn’t even believe it. I’m still shocked. I’m so glad that I live in Canada personally, because if I was in America, I would fear for my life, honestly. I’m not black, but I am of colour.”
While no violence was seen at Calgary’s rally, Chief Rick Hanson says that the department has a plan in place to protect private property and people’s livelihood in the event of civil unrest.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
