Tensions are rising between two groups, one opposing, one promoting COVID-19 restrictions in Kelowna.
A planned 乌鸦传媒榤ega rally乌鸦传媒� for downtown on Saturday (Feb. 13) resulted in more than 100 protesters gathering at Stuart Park, across from several counter-protesters stationed in front of Kelowna City Hall.
The counter-protesters shouted through megaphones, attempting to drown out the messages of those with microphones across the street.
At one point, a protester crossed the street and approached a counter-protester with a megaphone, slapping it away from his mouth. The altercation attracted the presence of police who were parked nearby in unmarked cars.
Mounties issued a ticket, for what and to whom isn乌鸦传媒檛 known.
Warning: the following clip contains profanity
RCMP quick to intervene in an argument between anti-restriction protester and counter-protester.
乌鸦传媒� Michael Rodriguez (@MichaelRdrguez)
So far, the anti-restriction protest organizers have received thousands in fines from police for violating COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. Despite this, they continue to gather.
Many could be seen holding signs and waving at drivers. A merchandise table was set up where clothing and signs with the word 乌鸦传媒榝reedom乌鸦传媒� were being sold. Children could be heard coming to the microphone to take their stance on the regulations.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 fighting for your freedom. It乌鸦传媒檚 being stripped away, and it shouldn乌鸦传媒檛 be. It乌鸦传媒檚 Canada, for crying out loud 乌鸦传媒� it乌鸦传媒檚 sad that our rights are being taken over something that乌鸦传媒檚 false,乌鸦传媒� said an anti-restriction protester who refused to give their name.
乌鸦传媒淓veryone wants our freedom back. That乌鸦传媒檚 all. It乌鸦传媒檚 just our rights. Our freedoms. It乌鸦传媒檚 all we ask for.乌鸦传媒�
Tyler Paulson, the individual shown in the clip with the megaphone, has been showing up to the protests each weekend to counter-protest. However, recently, he said things have been escalating.
乌鸦传媒淪omeone needs to show up and say 乌鸦传媒楴o, this isn乌鸦传媒檛 okay,乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕 Paulson said.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 (physical violence) definitely escalating more乌鸦传媒� nobody乌鸦传媒檚 actually gotten hit yet, but there are tensions rising, yeah.乌鸦传媒�
Alongside Paulson, a small group of counter-protesters stood in front of city hall, observing the gathering.
乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 against the culture, the mentality they乌鸦传媒檙e spreading. And to me, that乌鸦传媒檚 the trouble,乌鸦传媒� said Reuben Scott.
Last week, Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 mayor and RCMP superintendent discouraged people from attending the rally.
However, despite the warnings to avoid the area and the increased police presence downtown during the rally, RCMP did not issue any fines as a result of the event.
乌鸦传媒淲e have gathered evidence in this matter, and will be in discussions with our partners in the BC Health Authority and the BC Prosecution Service on the next steps in this investigation,乌鸦传媒� said Supt. Kara Triance.
Editor乌鸦传媒檚 note: A photo showing an interaction between police, and a man in a beige vest, unintentionally portrayed a nearby male as being involved in the altercation. The argument that prompted the presence of police did not involve the man in the gray toque.
READ MORE: Kelowna officials warn against anti-COVID protests ahead of planned 乌鸦传媒榤ega rally乌鸦传媒�
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com
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