A heavy police presence overshadowed a meeting meant to let Albertans talk to a provincial minister about cuts to a support program for people with disabilities.
The meeting started at about 3 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Centre – a short time later, the building was surrounded by officers, and the Edmonton Police Service Tactical Unit had entered the building.
CTV News was there when police entered; arrests were made not long after police arrived.
Witnesses told CTV News they saw a man sitting in the meeting with a knife, and police were called.
Shortly after police arrived, a man came out of the room where the meeting was being held, and police arrested him – CTV News cameras were rolling as another man was taken into custody outside the building.
Later, police confirmed officers responded to a weapons complaint at the meeting, they arrived at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.
A police statement said reports indicated a man made threats towards a political leader at a meeting with about 500 people in attendance – police said one man was arrested at about 4:30 p.m.
An EPS spokesperson said the second person, who was taken into custody outside the building, was to be released without facing charges.
Charges are pending, as police are still investigating.
As for the meeting, hundreds were in attendance, with dozens lining up to talk to Associate Minister of Services for People with Disabilities Frank Oberle on the subject.
Oberle said as far as the cutbacks go, decisions made on the subject previously won’t be reversed, and if he needs to go back to the treasury for more money he will do so.
With files from Brenna Rose
