A group photo taken after the rally last Saturday. (Prince Albert Ant-Lockdown Group/Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public health

Police encourage public not to participate in anti-mask rallies

Apr 22, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Police Chief Jon Bergen is warning future participants of rallies in the city, that breach provincial health protocols, will be subject to an investigation which could lead to charges.

The comments come in response to a “Freedom” rally held last Saturday outside Court of Queen’s Bench in which upwards of 100 people attended (adults and youth). The participants assembled to denounce the use of masks and some essentially claimed COVID-19 was not a real pandemic. According to provincial health guidelines, group gatherings outside are limited to 10 people.

Both police and representatives from the Saskatchewan Health Authority were seen at the rally observing, and while Bergen confirmed no tickets were issued Saturday he said both a follow up investigation and consultations were occurring.

“The police were there and observed and ensured that the rally didnt become more than the protest it was, and knowing there would be infractions through the health restrictions and there would be a review for charges following,” he explained to paNOW.

With suggestions on social media a similar rally may happen Sunday afternoon, Bergen confirmed police are monitoring to see what potentially is going to happen.

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“For anyone that may be electing to participate or attend, there will be investigations in consultation with public health and the consequences for that could include charges,” Bergen said.

Earlier this week Mayor Greg Dionne also cautioned would-be protestors not to hold similar events in the future.

Response from protestors

Rachel Cochrane, creator and administrator of the Prince Albert anti-lockdown Facebook group, and one of the organizers of last weekend’s rally, told paNOW, the group has no plans to change.

“We have been rallying Sunday’s 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at QB courthouse and will continue to do so,” she said in a Facebook message.

Cochrane also provided a statement on behalf of the group.

“Along with many of my fellow Canadians, I will continue to take a stand for our Fundamental Freedoms in the Canadian Charter of Rights, including freedom of thought, belief, opinion, expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly,” she wrote.

Cochrane added she believes the provincial government is attempting to “deny us these rights… in forced closure of businesses, mask mandates, continual lockdown of nursing homes despite many having received both doses of vaccine, and dictating who we can have into our home.

“The evidence of the harm being done by these measures is easily seen in the spike of suicides, overdoses, and mental and physical health decline,” she said.

paNOW has reached out to the Ministry of Health to offer an updated explanation regarding what the penalties are regarding non-compliance with the public health orders.

Earlier this week the ministry said it was disappointing and frustrating to see rallies against COVID-19 measures and “Dr. Shahab and Premier Moe have noted in many news conferences, the time for education has passed.”

They said further questions about enforcement should be directed to the Prince Albert Police Service.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell