Israel protest at Heritage Festival was constitutionally protected, Edmonton city confirms

The City of Edmonton has confirmed that an anti-Israel protest at the Heritage Festival on Aug. 3 could not have been prevented, regardless of a permit.

The city did not issue a permit for the protest outside the Israel pavilion, but acknowledged protesters didn't need one. "The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," the city wrote in response to a Postmedia inquiry. "Because of these constitutional protections, the City does not require protest permits for individuals gathering in public spaces."

The festival was free to attend and took place in Hawrelak Park, a public space. A man was arrested for allegedly trying to slash through the Israel tent with a knife during the protest. Demonstrators chanted slogans including, "All Zionists are racists."

Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, said the Aug. 3 protest crossed the line and should have been stopped. She acknowledged the constitutional protections for peaceful assembly but expressed concern about the conduct that unfolded.

"Our concern is not that a protest occurred. Our concern is whether the conduct that unfolded remained peaceful and consistent with the standards expected in public spaces," Leavitt-Wright said. "The City of Edmonton's Public Spaces Bylaw prohibits communications that cause people to reasonably feel harassed and behaviour that interferes with the physical or psychological safety of others."

She said protesters escalated their disruption over more than two and a half hours with what she characterized as hateful rhetoric and chants inciting violence. Leavitt-Wright said she heard chanting, "There is only one solution, intifada, revolution." She noted many Jewish community members interpret such language as a call to violence against Jews.

"This is not simply a disagreement over politics; it is rhetoric that many experience as threatening and intimidating," Leavitt-Wright said.

The city's website notes that while protest permits are not required, it "encourages" residents to complete a Civic Events Application. City guidelines request that protests be peaceful, lawful gatherings that do not promote hatred, violence or racism, and that visual aids, speeches, music and chants be respectful and non-discriminatory. Conduct contradicting these expectations could result in event organizers being asked to stop their activities.