MIRROR, ALTA. -- RCMP ticketed protesters leaving an anti-lockdown rally outside a central Alberta cafe Saturday, after the establishment was closed by health officials earlier in the week.
Despite pouring rain and a pre-emptive court injunction, hundreds gathered outside the Whistle Stop Cafe in the hamlet of Mirror, Alta., for the “Save Alberta Campout Protest.”
Demonstrators were there to support cafe owner Chris Scott and challenge Public Health Orders meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
READ MORE: Weekend protest planned at Whistle Stop Café deemed 'illegal' under new injunction
A spokesman for the RCMP said officers took the first three hours of the protest to educate demonstrators on COVID-19 regulations and notify them that they were contravening the injunction.
“There was a decision at one point to start mounting enforcement,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff. “That was around 4 p.m.”
Savinkoff said police would provide a more thorough update on how many people were ticketed later Saturday.
On Wednesday, AHS said it closed the cafe after the agency received more than 400 complaints about the business since January. Health authorities said the cafe is to remain closed until Scott can demonstrate the ability to comply with health restrictions.
Alberta Health Services said after hearing about plans for the protest that the provincial government would take legal action that would allow RCMP officers to use reasonable force in arresting and removing any person at the rally who contravenes public health orders.
But that didn't stop people without masks from standing together to cheer and clap when Scott stood on a stage and encouraged them to fight for their freedom.
“I've been accused of a lot of things over this. They think it's about money. They think it's about popularity. I could care less about that,” Scott told the crowd.
“I'm not fine with anyone telling me what to do with my body or how to earn an income.”
Scott then asked the crowd to follow COVID-19 regulations at the rally due to the injunction.
Police walk through the crowds during a rally against measures taken by government and health authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 at the Whistle Stop cafe in Mirror Alta, on Saturday May 8, 2021. The Whistle Stop was shut down by AHS for not complying with COVID-19 rules (The Canadian Press/Jason Franson).
Three hours later, RCMP officers with body cameras began handing out tickets under the Public Health Act to those leaving the area for participating in the illegal gathering.
RCMP did confirm that the organizer of the event was arrested under the provision of the Court of Queen’s Bench Order.
“The Alberta RCMP is currently in the process of gathering additional information with respect to other individual’s participation in the organization of this event,” said RCMP in a press release.
- AHS shuts down Whistle Stop Cafe as Alberta doubles enforcement fines
- Whistle Stop Café called to court amid public health order violations
- In a show of defiance, restaurant owners across the province open for business
Last weekend, hundreds of people gathered near Bowden, also in central Alberta for a pre-advertised maskless “No More Lockdowns”' protest rodeo.
Days later, the premier announced stronger restrictions and doubled fines for scofflaws.
READ MORE: Central Alberta rodeo goes on without a hitch but not everyone is on board
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2021.
