It was quite the scene on Sunday as hundreds of people gathered around Grace Life Church in Parkland County to protest the church’s closure last week by Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Among the protesters was a convoy of about 20 vehicles that drove up from Calgary.
Around 300 people had gathered on and around the church’s property by 11 a.m., some chanting and others singing hymns.
A group of protesters was seen pulling down a section of the chainlink fencing surrounding the church. Supporters of the church’s closure were also on the property and tried putting the fence back up.
The fence was put up by AHS on April 7 after the church failed to comply with provincial health orders. The health agency said the church will remain closed until it can comply with the province’s 15 percent occupancy limit.
Grace Life Church released a statement on Sunday saying that its congregants were not part of the protests.
“GraceLife Church has no control of our church or grounds at this time. Our church has not been involved in organizing, planning, or promoting any protests or activities taking place on or near the church lands,” the statement read.
Alberta RCMP members were on scene trying to keep the peace Sunday, many of them lined up behind the fence facing the crowd.
RCMP issued a statement warning people not to park on surrounding roads and land belonging to the neighbouring Enoch Cree First Nation, after people parked without permission.
“The RCMP would like to advise everyone that property north of Highway 627 in the area of GraceLife Church is Enoch Cree First Nation territory,” read the statement. “Parking north of Highway 627 on Enoch Cree First Nation and parking or stopping on the highway itself is not permitted.”
The church is located off Highway 627 on Range Road 262.
Members of Enoch Cree First Nation say people vandalized Chief Billy Morin’s vehicle and some protesters got into confrontations with members.
Enoch Cree First Nation had set up barricades on the road, and it is setting up security to monitor future situations.
Most of the protesters had left the area by 2 p.m., and the rally was over by 4 p.m.
