Achi news desk-
Alberta RCMP say their members are continuing to maintain public safety at a carbon tax protest west of Calgary and say members of a similar demonstration have been involved in a multi-vehicle crash.
In an update on Tuesday, officials said the protest on the Trans-Canada Highway is still being closely monitored to ensure public safety while also respecting the participants’ right to assemble and demonstrate.
The police say they are also on the scene to ensure that those protesters stay off the highway and do not block traffic with their vehicles.
“We do not take enforcement action lightly, but the safety of motorists, protesters and the right of a traveler to use a public highway must be maintained,” RCMP said in a news release.
“It is extremely unsafe to stand or block traffic on a public road.”
Protest vehicles in an accident
In another Alberta protest against the carbon tax, RCMP said five large farm vehicles caused a multi-vehicle crash in the Crowsnest Pass region on Monday afternoon.
The police say that the drivers of the vehicles were led to a protest site and refused to stop for the police when officers tried to stop traffic.
No injuries were reported, but police are investigating.
RCMP added that it is illegal for any vehicle to be stopped on any highway in Alberta unless it is unable to move under its own power, in an emergency or has been stopped by a peace officer or traffic control device.
