A large crowd of anti-mask demonstrators gathered outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery on New Year s Eve to protest the B.C. government-imposed restrictions related to COVID-19.Photo via alxyee / Twitter
However, many people speculate that the protest wasn t much more than a party one without any physical distancing or face masks.
The NYE Freedom Rally Dance Party kicked off around 8 p.m. outside of the Art Gallery and featured guest speakers, live music, a kid s corner, dance parties, and more. A flyer for the event states that the group opposes the government orders and will celebrate the new year!
Protestors included members of various groups, including Hugs Over Masks, 5G and QAnon conspiracy theorists, anti-vaccine advocates, and more. They held signs that read freedom is essential, false evidence appearing real, we are all essential, and fake news.
by Craig Takeuchi on January 1st, 2021 at 10:00 PM 1 of 1 2 of 1
Although B.C. had one of its quietest New Year’s Eves last night, it wasn’t without some incidents of people defying COVID-19 health measures.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) stated today (January 1) that around 11 p.m. on December 31, police received a complaint about a private party being held at an unidentified restaurant near Granville and Davie streets. The VPD is not specifying the name or address of the venue.
When officers arrived, they estimated there were about 100 people at the premises, and both food and alcohol were being served.
by Charlie Smith on January 1st, 2021 at 9:30 AM 1 of 3 2 of 3
Vancouver police observed yet another gathering last night of maskless people thumbing their noses at provincial health recommendations.
Hugs Over Masks activists promoted the event, which was billed as the NYE Freedom Rally Dance Party, on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Citytv s David Zura reported that former Vancouver Canucks national anthem singer Mark Donnelly was among those who performed.
It came after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix reported that there were eight more deaths that day from COVID-19, bringing B.C. s total number of fatalities to 901.