(Global News Regina)

By CKOM News

Regina police fine anti-mask protest organizers

Dec 13, 2020 | 12:21 PM

Regina police have handed out two tickets to organizers of an anti-mask rally.

The protest took place in front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building Saturday, drawing a large crowd. Groups from Saskatoon and Weyburn drove to the city to attend.

The tickets each carry a $2,800 fine.

Officers said one man and one woman from Saskatoon and Deer Valley were ticketed.

“Two persons have been issued tickets under the Saskatchewan Public Health Act for contravention of Public Health Orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the police release reads, with no further detail on the exact reason for the fines.

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“We understand the emotion and anxiety caused by this event; we also have families. Together, we will get through this time,” it continues.

Before police announced the tickets, Premier Scott Moe responded to the protesters on social media.

At the rally, online videos show a speaker making racist comments about Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, which Moe responded to.

Mark Friesen, an outspoken anti-mask protester and a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada in the 2019 federal election, claims to be one of the organizers ticketed.

In response, Friesen has set up a GoFundMe page to pay for a legal defense.

“The provincial and federal governments and their agents, have a duty to uphold the constitution and charter of rights and freedoms of Canada. According to that constitution and charter, these rights are guaranteed unless the government can prove, demonstrably, that limiting these rights is necessary under certain and particular circumstances. They have not proven that. Therefore all rights and freedoms are in full effect,” the page reads.

“Given the current state of affairs, we want to ensure we have a fund that we can use to help defend our rights & freedoms in a court of law and fight these unlawful fines, tickets, and charges. Please donate what you can to this effort.”

As of Sunday morning, it had raised over $3,700.