Edmonton police provide timeline of events surrounding Eritrean Festival riots

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has released a timeline of events that lead up to and following the riots at the Eritrean Festival over the weekend.

EPS says Saturday morning officers attended a demonstration near 163 Street and 95 Avenue in connection to the festival that was scheduled to take place in a field in the area.

Police say their presence at events is not unusual, as many event organizers work with EPS prior to commencing. In this case, the EPS notes officers worked closely with both groups ahead of the event, to allow people the right to peaceful assembly and ensure public safety for both festival and demonstration attendees.

READ MORE: Police say multiple injuries reported following clashes at Edmonton Eritrean festival

the EPS says following a discussion with the parties, it was apparent that tensions were rising. Due to this, the festival’s permit was revoked by the City of Edmonton.

In response to the permit being removed, festival-goers left the park and moved to a field near 132 Avenue and 113A Street.

Around 11 a.m., officers attended the new location after receiving a report that an altercation was taking place between the two groups. The report also indicated one person was assaulted. They along with 10 others involved in the altercation were taken to hospital.

“These injuries were sustained in the altercation between the two groups, not as a result of police interaction. One officer was injured and required stitches after being hit with a projectile thrown by a demonstrator,” said Edmonton Police in a statement.

In addition, one officer was injured after being hit with a projectile thrown by a demonstrator.

The EPS confirms the riot act was read twice during the event.

By 4 p.m., the EPS had received another report which indicated demonstrators had surrounded a banquet hall near 92 Street and 34A Avenue.

The banquet hall was associated with the Eritrean Festival events, so officers elected to respond due to tensions around the event.

“Demonstrators hurled projectiles at officers, including stones and bricks, resulting in the use of various tactics to gain control of the crowd; no officers were injured nor were there any initial reports of injuries from any demonstrators,” said the EPS.

“Police remained on scene until demonstrators eventually disbursed. Three demonstrators were detained and released following the incident. No charges were laid.”

The EPS says on Sunday, officers were reportedly on standby in case tensions surrounding the event rose again.

Around 10 p.m., officers responded to a reported disturbance at a community hall located near 127 Avenue and 120 Street.

When officers arrived, the suspect had fled, and officers determined a pellet gun had been used to shatter the windows of nearby vehicles.

Due to this, individuals inside the community hall, which were in attendance for more of the festival, began to disperse.

Additional officers were called to support crowd control. The EPS noted no injuries were reported in this incident.

“The EPS was aware of possible clashes between the Eritrean Festival attendees and demonstrators and completed this process prior to Saturday’s planned festivities, consulting with the organizers of both groups.

“The goal was to support citizens in their right to peaceful assembly and ensure public safety for both festival and demonstration attendees. While police officers are sworn to uphold the Criminal Code, they are also sworn to uphold the rights of Canadians that are enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and upholding both sets of laws can be a delicate task.”

No charges have been laid at this time, and EPS is investigating is ongoing into some of the violent acts.