Demonstrators protest against City of Kelowna bylaw requiring permit to hold public rallies – Okanagan | 24CA News
A loud protest came about in entrance of Kelowna City Hall on Tuesday afternoon as demonstrators gathered to ship a message to native officers.
“Our message to them is to basically back off and leave our rallies alone,” mentioned organizer David Lindsay.
The freedom rallies started in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to protest lockdowns and vaccine mandates.
They used to happen weekly and are actually solely held as soon as a month now. However, town has taken court docket motion requiring a allow to carry the protests in public areas like parks.
Lindsay mentioned that’s towards the general public’s constitutional rights.
“They left us alone for the first 17 months. They said you have a right to be there. We’re not doing anything, and then suddenly the province got involved,” Lindsay mentioned.
“And the province started pressuring the city, and then they started issuing tickets to me every week. They’ve issued over 200 tickets and $50,000 in fines.”
Lindsay known as it clear bias as a result of the protests have been towards authorities insurance policies, including that different teams might maintain rallies with out monetary penalties.
“It is clear bias,” mentioned Lindsay. “It is clear prejudice against us because they don’t like the fact that we’re protesting against government policies.”
Sherin Gauvin attended the protest.
The 85-year-old Kelowna resident mentioned she’s doing it for her grandchildren, including it’s about free speech.
“We are free to protest,” mentioned Gauvin. “It’s a park for the people and we should be allowed to do that.”
Bob Gaida, one other protestor, echoed the sentiment.
“Why do I need a permit to gather with people I agree with? Do I need a permit to meet with you?” he requested.
Some passers-by questioned the protestors, asking why are they persevering with to protest when life is just about again to regular.
Lindsay mentioned there are different freedom considerations the group has, together with digital ID and digital forex, due to this fact they don’t plan to again down.
The metropolis supplied no remark in regards to the demonstration, aside from officers have been conscious of the protest and that police had been notified.
As for the group’s subsequent step, Lindsay mentioned it plans to take court docket motion to oppose town’s techniques within the subsequent couple of weeks.
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