RCMP commander & mayor send clear message about protest event

Don’t take part.

That’s the message from the head of the Kelowna RCMP and the City of Kelowna in regards to a possible COVID-related protest rally this weekend.

RCMP Supt. Kara Triance issued a video statement, cautioning potential protesters against participating in what she called an unlawful event.

The city said the rally event organizer has been fined three times so far, for a total of nearly $7,000.

“I want to take this opportunity to dissuade anyone from attending this march, or attending the area in protest of this march,” Triance said.

The police commander said people have right to protest lawfully and peacefully, but those rights “do not supersede public safety.”

She said police officers will be present to ensure everyone’s safety and to prevent confrontations.

“Our officers will be collecting evidence as part of our investigation and there to keep our public safe. Our findings will be shared with our partners at the provincial health authority and the B.C. Prosecution Service and anyone not following the regulations can face fines.”

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran issued a statement, citing extreme disappointment and concern about the group continuing to cause risk for themselves and others by refusing to follow the public health orders.

“People have the right to protest peacefully, but they do not have the right to potentially spread a virus that can be life-threatening to people in our community. We’ve seen many times how it only takes one infected individual to cause an outbreak,” the statement read.

“Kelowna is an inclusive city where we respect each other’s rights, and that includes the right to feel safe during a pandemic,” Basran said.

The mayor said they might not convince people who oppose public health orders or who don’t believe in science to wear masks and keep a safe distance from each other, but they hope this statement keeps the silent majority motivated to continue following public health orders.

“We are getting closer to the end of this, and now is not the time to lose our focus on respecting and protecting each other from a resurgence in local outbreaks.”