Protestors charged in high-profile incidents in Kelowna

Charges have been laid against two people in separate incidents in Kelowna last year that received significant media attention.

On July 13, 2021 RCMP officers were called to a complaint of protestors allegedly blocking access to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Springfield Road in Kelowna. Officers attended, spoke with staff, and dealt with the protestors. No arrests were made at that time.

Shortly afterwards, a video surfaced of a protestor yelling what appeared to be racially motivated comments and accusations at a security guard who asked him to leave the property.

The accused in the video was identified by police, and the RCMP General Investigative Support Team, in consultation with the Provincial Hate Crimes Unit, conducted an investigation.

That probe has now led to the B.C. Prosecution Service approving a criminal charge of causing disturbance against 60-year-old Bruce Orydzuk from Kelowna. He is scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 26, 2022.

The second incident took place on November 11, 2021, Remembrance Day.

Officers responded to a report of up to 100 demonstrators at the Cenotaph in Kelowna. Ceremonies across the city had been restricted due to the pandemic; however, members of the public as well as veterans gathered to remember. Demonstrators allegedly interrupted the assembly and RCMP officers attended to keep the peace.

The events at the Cenotaph resulted in a criminal investigation being launched by the RCMP and thanks to video of the incident by the public, a suspect was identified.

The B.C. Prosecution Service has approved a criminal charge of disturbing certain meetings against 56-year-old Linda Jackson from Kelowna. She is scheduled to appear in provincial court on May 19, 2022.

“There is no tolerance for hate. We committed from the onset to complete thorough investigations into these separate incidents,” said Insp. Adam MacIntosh, Operations Officer for the Kelowna RCMP. “We support a person’s right to protest but it is not absolute. I want to thank the hard work of our investigators to bring these cases before the BC Prosecution Services and the courts.”