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Police made no arrests following a large demonstration by anti-Islam protesters — and a smaller group of counter-protesters — outside City Hall on Saturday afternoon.

Nearly 200 protesters professing “Canadian values” gathered on the plaza in front of the Calgary Municipal Building.

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The demonstration was met by supporters of the Calgary Anti-Fascist Action.

While there were heated verbal exchanges between the sides, and some demonstrators carried what appeared to be stun baton-style devices, police reported no violence or property damage.

Around 25 police officers could also be seen at the demonstration. At one point the opposing sides nearly came face to face with each other, with police acting as the sole barrier between them.

Many demonstrators came to hear speaker Sandra Solomon, an anti-Islamification activist. However, there were a number of counter-protestors who wanted to voice support for Canada’s refugee community.

Photo by Bryan Passifiume / Postmedia

One woman carried a sign reading “Canada is a secular society. Refugee or immigrant, Muslim, Christian, Jew or none, all peaceful people are welcome here.”

“I’ve been very disturbed by the escalation of violent attacks (on) Muslims and Syrian refugees,” said the woman, who asked not be identified.

“This is very concerning to me that this kind of element is growing in our society.”

Photo by Bryan Passifiume / Postmedia

The president of the Canadian Combat Coalition, one of the groups participating in the demonstration, declined comment.

“I don’t trust the media, so none of my guys are speaking to you,” Ryan Dean said.