Pictures: http://flickr.com/photos/65985589@N00/sets/72157604191748070/ 

Canwest News Service. Sunday, March 23, 2008

White supremacists and anti-racist protesters clashed in a screaming match that wound its way through downtown Calgary on Friday. A strong police presence stayed close on the heels of the protesters, breaking up several angry confrontations and leading at least two people away in handcuffs. It’s the latest in a string of events that some activists fear signals a rising tide of racism in Calgary.

“We’ll always meet them head-on every time. I’m scared, but I’m not going to stand down, ever,” said anti-racism advocate Bonnie Collins as a group of demonstrators stood waving white supremacist flags on the steps of the municipal building.

Friday’s incident began in front of a seniors’ home as both sides shouted slogans at each other. A line of police officers formed a wall between the groups.

Waving white pride flags, about 30 members of the neo-Nazi group, which calls itself the Aryan Guard, began marching. Nearly 150 anti-racist protesters followed.