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Dozens of people have logged onto the game’s Facebook event page urging cancellation and calling for protests.

Nathan Lawr, organizer of the game and founder of Artists for Civil Liberties says he is “really bummed” that other activists are opposing the event. “This game was meant to elevate the conversation to something more than ‘f— the cops,’” he said.

“I fully expect counter-demonstrations, and we’re going to put up a link expressly inviting them because that’s the whole idea, all voices are welcome.”

Sukanya Pillay, acting executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, which arranged the game, called the friendly competition a new way to foster meaningful dialogue with the police, moving beyond just identifying police abuses and making recommendations.

The association “never shied away from being critical of policing,” she said, but they have to maintain good relationships with police to effect the kind of change the CCLA is seeking.

It’s also not clear whether every police officer supports the match.

Staff Insp. Bill Neadles, who is playing in the game, says he had some issues getting officers, many of whom were on duty during the G20 protests, to join the team — but now they are looking forward to it.

He says his unit has played hockey with the public before, but never “with an organization that people might think doesn’t like us.”

The game grew from a relationship the police had built with the CCLA after the G20 clashes, as police sought to understand the position of the protesters, said Staff Insp. Neadles.

He welcomes the protests — “Everybody has the freedom to protest anything they wish” — and doesn’t anticipate any issues.

“They’ll be on the left side and we’ll be on the right…but we’ll meet in the centre and have a fun hockey game.”

National Post