Flames urge fans to stop harassing women on Red Mile
The Calgary Flames are urging fans to do better.
Not to be louder or more supportive, but rather to put an end to sexual harassment, violent language and intimidation of women that is reportedly taking place on the Red Mile during playoff games.
Women say they’ve been feeling threatened and unsafe along the Red Mile - a stretch of 17 Ave. S.W., jammed with supporters during Calgary playoff games - with fans yelling obscenities and asking them to, among other things, take their shirts off, the Calgary Herald reports.
"Our view is that if you’re a true Flames fan, you are not engaging in this kind of behaviour," Flames CEO Ken King said Thursday prior to Game 5 against the Vancouver Canucks. "We want to make it clear, do not do this stuff, ever. And for goodness sake don’t do it in our name because that’s not our culture, that’s not our organization."
"This kind of behavior has nothing to do with us, nothing to do with hockey," team president Brian Burke added. "This is no way to treat women. I ask that everyone keeps their red on, and treat each other with respect."
A police spokesman said officers are keeping a close eye on the fan gatherings, and that there will continue to be a heavy presence of law enforcement for as long as the Flames' playoff run lasts.
Game 6 of the first-round series is set for Saturday in Calgary.