“Really, it’s an honor to be here to support science and frontline workers,” said David Crawford, a Kelowna resident.
“What I think they are doing is insulting the people who are suffering from the disease, who have died from the disease and the people who are working hard to eradicate the disease.”
Crawford said he had been visiting these anti-lockdown rallies for the past few weeks, holding his own signs mocking the anti-masks.
He was holding signs that read “ignorance to come” and “yay science, yay vaccines”.
Read more:
COVID-19 pandemic pushes B.C. families with special needs to the limit, advocates say
The story continues under the ad
Crawford said the overall reception of passing vehicles was excellent – with a few negative interactions dotted around.
Police were on site as the 100 or so protesters gathered and walked through the city center.
A ticket for $ 2,300 was issued to the organizer, according to the Kelowna RCMP.
Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran issued a statement Friday afternoon urging protesters to comply with public health orders even as they rally against them.
He said, “People have the right to protest peacefully, but they don’t have the right to endanger others by defying public health orders.”
“Individual rights and freedoms are fundamental to our democracy, but they are only possible within the parameters established by the democratic process.”
Basran said he spoke to doctors at Kelowna General Hospital, who have legitimate concerns that the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the community could overwhelm the local health system.
And that’s exactly what David Crawford worries about and why he’s committed to being at every anti-restriction rally in Kelowna.
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
