(UPDATE: Feb. 5 @ 4:30 pm) – The large group of people participating in the Okanagan “Freedom Convoy” have arrived in Osoyoos this afternoon.
Many social media posts show the crowd gathered at the US-Canada border in the southern Okanagan town.
Several videos show a long line-up of vehicles parked alongside both northbound and southbound lanes.
Canadian flags are abundant and one video even shows a large crowd singing the national anthem. Other videos show people playing hockey, eating barbecue and listening to music.
Vehicles can be seen honking their horns in support of the rally which is related to the overall protest against COVID-19 related mandates and restrictions – taking inspiration from the larger protest happening in Ottawa.
It is unclear how long the group plans to stay at the border.
NowMedia Staff will update this story as more information becomes available.
Thumbnail photo credit: Trevor T., Facebook
(Original Story: Feb. 5 @ 2:30 pm) – For the second weekend in a row, residents across the Okanagan and Shuswap took part in a “Freedom Convoy” to protest vaccine mandates.
Participants departed Salmon Arm at around 8:30 am on Saturday. The convoy arrived in Kelowna just after 11 am and passed through Peachland, Penticton and Kaledan throughout the afternoon.
The group is due to arrive at the Canadian/US in Osoyoos at 2:15 pm where organizers are planning a bbq.
Last weekend, a similar convoy saw participants drive from Vernon to Osoyoos. There were also protests in the Lower Mainland, northern BC and Alberta.
The weekly protest that is held in Kelowna’s Stuart Park also appears to be continuing this week. On Jan. 22, a crowd marched to the intersection of Highway 97 and Abbot Street carrying signs opposing COVID-19 related mandates.
Similar protests are being held in Victoria and Vancouver this weekend as well – including counter protests.
On Friday afternoon, BC’s minister of public safety, released a statement in response to the planned protests in the Lower Mainland.
“Our government believes in a welcoming and inclusive society and recognizes the public’s right to engage in peaceful protest and lawful assembly,” said Mike Farnworth.
“While the police will respect lawful protests, they will also consider all the tools and options available to them to protect people, preserve public safety and investigate unlawful conduct.”
The protest in Ottawa was initiated as a way to oppose the mandate that requires truck drivers to be fully vaccinated in order to cross the US-Canada border and an estimated 400 trucks and 2,000 people are expected to arrive at Parliament Hill this weekend.
However, participants and organizers are now demanding that all pandemic-related measures be eliminated, including masks, vaccines and vaccine cards.
The protestors have stated they will be staying in downtown Ottawa until the federal government removes all COVID-19 mandates and restrictions.
Earlier this week, GoFundMe announced that it was removing the fundraiser page for the “Freedom Convoy 2022” after the company acquired evidence of “violence and unlawful activity” in Ottawa.
On Saturday morning, the organization announced that it would be refunding everyone who donated to the fundraiser, which raised approximately $10 million.
