Hundreds gather at 'peaceful' rally as Coutts blockade suspects appear in Lethbridge court
Lethbridge police say though a Friday court appearance for three men charged in connection to the Coutts Border blockade brought an influx of people to the area the gathering was "peaceful."
Marco Van Huigenbos, 32, a Fort Macleod town councillor; Alex Van Herk, 53; and Gerhard "George" Janzen, 43, are all charged with mischief over $5,000.
When Van Huigenbos, Van Herk and Janzen last appeared in court, a few dozen people went to the Lethbridge courthouse for the occasion, while others arrived in vehicles, prompting police to shut down a number of roads for a few hours due to the traffic.
Police said the night before Friday's appearance that they were again expecting a large crowd.
The hearing Friday was short, with proceedings adjourned until Dec. 12, but the crowd took a while to disperse.
"It’s not just about us three," said Van Huigenbos. "It's about all of us, and we're standing with you guys, and you're standing with us, and we just want to say we really appreciate what you guys are doing out here with us."
Lethbridge police say they worked with Alberta Sheriffs, RCMP and the Calgary Police Service to maintain public safety while also "respecting the democratic right to peaceful assembly" for the 500 people who had gathered at the courthouse.
"Roads and business access in the area remained open to regular vehicle and foot traffic throughout the event, however police were stationed at various intersections to restrict tractor trailers and other heavy equipment from leaving truck routes to enter the downtown core," said a Friday news release.
"Earlier this morning a slow-moving convoy of supporters also made their way around the perimeter of the downtown core but there were no disruptions to the flow of regular vehicle traffic."
Police said with the exception of a few "parking challenges" because of the increase in vehicles, no police action was required.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.