Yesterday, thousands of unmasked demonstrators gathered in cities across British Columbia and other parts of the country to protest mandatory vaccination policies in the province.
Demonstrators in Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops, Victoria, Prince George and Nanaimo took to the streets to voice their objection to the province’s vaccine passport set to come into effect on September 13th.
Although the federal government has not made vaccines mandatory for the general public, some provinces, including BC, are introducing their own temporary measures to limit who can participate in certain activities and visit specific businesses.
As of September 13th, the province will require proof of vaccination for certain non-essential activities.
The vaccine passport will require people to have at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine by the outlined September date, and to be fully vaccinated in October.
Many employers are also choosing to require their employees be vaccinated as a condition of employment.
The protesters took to the streets, focusing specifically on targeting government buildings and hospitals.
In Victoria, the front lawn of the BC legislature saw large crowds with anti-government, anti-vaccine and anti-vaccine passport signage.
Island Health workers in Nanaimo were verbally abused as they came and left work during the protests and one health-care member was physically assaulted.
I am a nurse at #NRGH. I was verbally assaulted by these #antivax #antimaskers trying to leave work this afternoon. Because I’m a health care provider. Somehow I am infringing on their #Freedom?
— Jackie Myronuk (@JHeartS12) September 1, 2021
In a written statement issued yesterday, Island Health’s President and CEO Kathy MacNeil condemned the protesters’ actions against Island Health workers.
“What happened to our health-care teams today is not acceptable to me nor to the people and communities they serve,” said MacNeil.
“Our health-care teams deserve respect and support, no matter what personal beliefs we hold.”
In Vancouver, protestors took to the Vancouver City Hall and the Vancouver General Hospital, blocking essential access to medical services.
Large protests also took place in front of Kelowna General Hospital and the Cowichan District Hospital in Duncan.
Similar protests broke out in Toronto after the announcement of the province’s vaccine passport.
BC Premier John Horgan also weighed in on the day’s events and showed his support of health care workers in a series of tweets:
Health-care workers have been true heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, working long hours in difficult conditions to care for us, our loved ones & to keep our communities safe.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) September 2, 2021
While everyone has the right to peaceful protest, the targeting and harassment of health-care workers at health-care facilities today is completely unacceptable. We stand by our health-care workers and support them fully.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) September 2, 2021
The intent of every COVID-19 guideline and restriction that we’ve put in place since the beginning of the pandemic is to keep people healthy.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) September 2, 2021
That remains our number-one priority and we will take the steps we need to, to save lives and keep people safe – as the vast majority of British Columbians expect.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) September 2, 2021
Tonight, the BC Legislature will be lit up in pink in appreciation for the province’s healthcare workers to show gratitude for their dedication and hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tonight, the #BCLeg will be lit in pink to show some 💗 to BC's healthcare workers — a gesture of gratitude for all that they have done and continue to do during the #COVID19 pandemic, in the face of many challenges.
We sincerely appreciate and value you. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/c6TZ7OtuJN
— BC Legislature (@BCLegislature) September 2, 2021
