(Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Opposing Ideas

Many P.A. residents sign petition to end COVID restrictions, city not budging

Jan 31, 2022 | 7:40 PM

Hundreds of Prince Albert residents are protesting the COVID-19 restrictions in place across the city.

A small rally was held at city hall on Monday during an executive committee meeting with the gathering’s organizer Melanie Markling getting a chance to share their concerns directly to P.A.’s council.

All council did was accept the presentation as information.

Speaking to paNOW, Markling said this is less about vaccinations and more about mandates restricting people from different businesses and city facilities.

“These mandates have created segregation, bullying, and discrimination. That’s my first-hand experience.”

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

9h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

9h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

10h ago

Her thoughts have been echoed by around 1,600 residents who’ve signed a petition aimed at lifting the restrictions.

After the meeting, Mayor Greg Dionne told reporters the city isn’t changing or lifting any of the measures.

“We’re following the province and we’re going to continue to move ahead and try and convince people to get vaccinated.”

He added if the province were to remove any restrictions they would follow suit.

Restrictions Example of Fascism?

Drums and cheering were heard throughout city hall after Markling finished her presentation.

Many thanked her for sharing their thoughts, while one person used the word fascism when describing the situation.

Markling was quick to defend the claim, noting everyone has the freedom to say and believe what they want.

“It took 11 years before Hitler decided he was going to put people in gas chambers. When people make that comparison, is it fear-driven and fear-based, possibly. Is there some component to reality, it’s not for me to say. People can take history and make it what they want to be.”

When asked about the comparison, Dionne chuckled and called it baseless.

“It just tells me how desperate they are, that they don’t have a factual case.”

He noted the province’s Human Rights Commission has also deemed these restrictions to be legal.

Dionne did, however, give the people who attended the rally credit for being peaceful and for all wearing masks. One person refused to wear a mask and was asked to leave, doing so without any issue.

Meanwhile, Markling hopes this will spark conversations around the city where all viewpoints are considered.

“There’s been a lot of damage that’s been done, and it’s not related to a virus.”

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow