Some came alone, others with groups, but everyone who gathered outside Calgary city hall Sunday shared the same goal of having their message heard ahead of the G7 summit at Kananaskis.

The downtown Municipal Plaza is one of three designated protest zones in the city set up as part of the gathering of world leaders. Two others in the city — near Victoria Park and the Calgary airport — saw little activity Sunday.

At city hall, demonstrators began arriving before noon for a rally that highlighted Indigenous water rights. Others soon followed. Calgary’s Amhara community called for an end to genocide in their homeland, and around 100 individuals urged peace in Kashmir. Supporters of Israel and pro-Palestine marchers also took part in the mostly orderly rally.

Komel Majid, turned out to advocate for the independence and peace of Jammu Kashmir, which is caught between the conflict of India and Pakistan.

“People have been very receptive and accepting,” Majid said. “We’ve had other people come out, gather with us and support us.”

Although it was a far cry from the G8 protest in 2002, when thousands of marchers snaked through downtown Calgary streets, it still featured pointed picket signs, chants for action and several waving flags.

A member of Calgary’s Amhara community, Yohannes Asfaw, said his group of about 50 was there to serve as a voice for the voiceless Amhara people, currently in conflict with the Ethiopian Government.

His group was calling on the G7 leaders to end the conflict and help bring peace to the region.

”G7 leaders! Break your silence!” they chanted.

Not everyone had a cause to share.

Barbara Crone was there to hand out water and snacks to demonstrators, stating her purpose for attending was to help keep everyone safe.

“I think it’s gonna be an important day for everyone that’s here today. The opportunity to be streamed to these leaders directly — that’s huge. Hopefully they’ll listen.”

Crone said she was disappointed by the divisions among demonstrators.

“The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that people are coming to me and they’re asking who are you with or what side are you on — trying to divide all of us.

“It breaks my heart that we’re splitting people up, that we are acting like human rights can be sanctioned off and some people matter and some don’t.”

Mary Oxendale Spensley, along with her fellow Calgary Raging Grannies, said it was interesting to be part of the multi-organization rally.

“As far as I know, we are all here for progressive causes,” Spensley said. “We are here for human rights.”

For Diane Houston, she said she originally came to the demonstration zone alone. Not too soon after, Houston became acquainted with others who support the No Kings movement in the U.S., in protest of President Donald Trump’s policies and actions during his second presidency.

Another independent protester, Heather Harrigan, held signs and waved Canadian flags to commuters who honked their support near the rally.

She said it is wonderful to see the support from community members who shared the same love of Canada.

“People seem to be understand that when they see our flag, are pro-our country,” she said. “We live in Canada and we love this country.”

When the early afternoon rolled around, each group who attended the city hall protest readied to march along downtown streets, prompting police to post notices on social media.

“There are two groups downtown currently on the move causing traffic disruptions along First Street,” read a post on X. “Police resources are working hard to minimize traffic disruptions.”

Isa Carline of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle, an organization that co-ordinates anti-imperialist and democratic movements, said many of the groups who participated in their event are not affiliated with them. Despite this, Carline said they all agreed to unite for the march.

“We all want to raise our voices and say we oppose the G7 summit and we have our own agenda, which is the people’s agenda,” Carline said.

Protests eventually snaked through streets near city hall, including a planned stop at the Harry Hays Building, before returning to the Municipal Plaza. Demonstrators were escorted by police from multiple jurisdictions and officers with pepper ball guns were observed standing at the ready behind the lines of police controlling marchers and traffic.

Carline said it was amazing to create a space where people can share and spread their own campaigns.

“It really shows that there is a lot of potential for a lot of solidarity work here in Calgary, that to my knowledge really hasn’t been united,” Carline said. “But we are united now.”

— With files from Brent Calver