Saskatoon police monitoring freedom rally protest after previous events resulted in fines for violating public health orders Protesters held up signs condemning COVID-19 restrictions put in place by the government to occasional honks from passing vehicles.
Author of the article: Matt Olson
Publishing date: Dec 20, 2020 • December 20, 2020 • 5 minute read • More than 100 people gathered in Saskatoon s Kiwanis Park on Saturday, Dec. 19 for a freedom rally protesting against various restrictions put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19, including public health orders around wearing masks and limiting gathering sizes. Photo by Matt Olson / Saskatoon StarPhoen /Saskatoon StarPhoenix
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It’s not yet clear what, if any, fines will result from a “freedom rally” in downtown Saskatoon Saturday afternoon.
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Saskatoon’s police chief says even though members of the public don’t see police enforcing public health orders at protests, that doesn’t mean investigations aren’t ongoing.
Chief Troy Cooper told the board of police commissioners on Thursday that investigations under the public health orders were ongoing after a Dec. 5 anti-mask protest in the downtown area. Tickets were not immediately issued, but Cooper told the board he “anticipates” enforcement measures will be taken.
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Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. (650 CKOM file photo)
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark is using a couple of his social media platforms to denounce what’s being called a “Freedom Rally” this weekend.
Clark took to Facebook and Twitter on Monday, posting a series of messages indicating his exasperation that the rally was scheduled to go ahead this weekend. A convoy is expected to begin in Davidson and make its way to downtown Saskatoon.
“It is very frustrating to see people going out and undermining all of the efforts that the rest of us have taken,” he tweeted, referring to efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. “I expect that there (will) be enforcement of the public health orders that are in place, and that the organizers of these events are investigated and held to account.”
Posted: Dec 16, 2020 7:24 AM CT | Last Updated: December 16, 2020
Hundreds attended a rally in Saskatoon on Dec. 5 to protest mask-wearing, vaccines and a host of other issues.(Mr. YXE/Twitter)
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark denounced anti-mask rallies in a series of tweets on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people have gathered at events in Saskatoon and Regina recently to protest COVID-19 restrictions and try to discredit health experts, government officials and the media. Clark says people should think twice before attending a similar rally planned for this weekend in Saskatoon. To anyone thinking about attending another anti-mask rally in Saskatoon this weekend give your head a shake. Do not join a rally that tells people to go out and endanger the lives of others, Clark s first tweet said.
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“We’re very fortunate to have him in Saskatchewan,” said Moe. “He could have chosen anywhere in the world to go and practise his trade, but he didn’t. He chose here, and Saskatchewan is certainly a better place because of the choice that he made.”
Shahab used the occasion to speak about the privileges he has as a doctor and a public servant. He said he worries more for others in a less comfortable position as they also endure prejudice.
“I think we should always be conscious of the people who don’t have the privileges (that) for example someone like me has, and suffer great harm from such actions,” said Shahab.