As G7 leaders reached Kananaskis for the summit, hundreds of protesters gathered in Calgary, aiming to speak up on key issues and make sure their concerns reached the world’s top decision-makers. Global News
Hundreds gathered in downtown Calgary on Sunday, making their voices heard as world leaders arrived nearby for the G7 summit. The event took place near Kananaskis, Alberta, about an hour west of Calgary. Since the summit area is closed to the public, organizers set up special zones in Calgary and Banff for protests. Leaders at the summit could watch live feeds of these demonstrations.
Peaceful but Impactful Protests
The protests were mostly peaceful, with only some traffic delays. One large group of Palestinian protesters marched through downtown Calgary. Police had to step in briefly to manage traffic and keep things moving.
Many protesters stood at Calgary city hall, one of the official protest areas. Carol and Mike Schmidt waved a small Canadian flag, firmly opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea of making Canada the 51st state. Carol said, “We’re never becoming the 51st state. We’re proud Canadians, and that’s a very loud message we want to give.”
Lesley Boyer shared similar feelings. “Both of my grandfathers fought fascists,” she said. “I’m very disturbed about the 51st state comments. This is my way to say, in a Canadian way, go away. We’re not interested in being your 51st state. Go away Trump, we don’t want you here.”
Focus on Environment and Indigenous Rights
The environment and Indigenous rights also took center stage. Josie Augr, from the Bigstone Cree First Nation, stressed the importance of water. “Water is life. Without water, we wouldn’t be here,” she said. She explained how climate change and drought make the future uncertain for many generations.
Jared Blustein, executive director of Calgary Climate Talk, said, “Climate change is largely absent from the agenda. The leaders may talk about it a little, but they won’t take real action.” He added, “We face more storms and heat waves. We need to protect the world for ourselves and future generations.”
Global Issues Spark Wider Protests
Global issues, like the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, also inspired protest groups. A strong pro-Palestinian march in Calgary disrupted traffic, with police carefully monitoring the situation.
Since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the summit, a group called for Kashmir’s independence. Asif Nazir said, “We need the right of self-determination, whether it’s with India or Pakistan. We want to be independent.”
Calls for Change and Criticism of World Leaders
Some protesters doubted the summit would solve anything. Jordan Chyzowski of the Revolutionary Communist Party criticized the leaders, saying, “They’ve led the world into crisis — rising living costs, environmental damage, and wars. Their system offers no solution.”
He called for a shift in power: “We need the working class to run the economy democratically. Resources should meet needs, not the profits of billionaires. We want a Revolutionary party to lead that fight.”
Tight Security and Wide Participation
Security remained tight throughout the protests. Police watched closely, taking photos of participants to ensure safety.
The protests showed that many people want leaders to address big issues like the environment, peace, and rights. The G7 summit might be closed to the public, but voices from Calgary and Banff made sure the leaders could not ignore their concerns.
