Two people were arrested and charges are pending following a Saturday evening demonstration in Edmonton. Police say that around 5:15 p.m. Saturday, they received a number of calls from citizens concerned about a road blockade at River Valley Road and 105 Street. The blockade involved somewhere between 50 and 100 people, police said, including some who were masked, creating traffic gridlock that extended to Walterdale Bridge and Walterdale Hill. Police were able to establish contact with the group and took action to create a safe traffic corridor for emergency vehicles by setting up barricades and “restricting movement along critical routes,” according to an EPS media release issued late Saturday. Police say that by 6:10 p.m., limited traffic flow was restored and a designated lane opened for emergency vehicles. The blockade was cleared. Two people were arrested. Charges are pending. “The Edmonton Police Service is committed to upholding the right to lawful protest,” said EPS spokesperson Insp. Keith Johnson, in the release. “However, impeding roadways and obstructing access for emergency services poses significant risks to public safety and cannot be tolerated.” “The EPS will continue to respond swiftly to restore order and ensure those responsible for compromising public safety are held accountable.” Anyone with information is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or text #377 from a mobile phone. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.
