Saanich PD arrested four individuals involved with a protest inside a Royal Oak bank Monday morning.
At approximately 8:45 a.m., Saanich police were notified of a group of protestors who had locked themselves to the front doors of a bank prior to opening.
The protestors chained the front doors of the bank, located at 700-block of Royal Oak Drive, and refused to come out.
Once on scene, officers warned the individuals they would be arrested if they did not leave the premises.
Three of the four individuals vacated. However, the remaining individual refused and was subsequently arrested without incident just after 10 a.m.
All four individuals were transported to the Saanich Police department for processing.
“Saanich Police acknowledge the Constitutional right to hold peaceful lawful protests. However, any protest that obstructs, interrupts, or interferes with any person in the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property is not lawful,” Saanich PD said in a statement.
According to police, they will be submitting a report to Crown Counsel recommending that all four individuals arrested be charged with the Criminal Code offence of Mischief.
