A Fruitvale council member wasn害羞草研究所檛 alarmed that COVID protesters rallied at her child害羞草研究所檚 favourite park, but is more concerned with the ensuing social media attacks from the community.

Coun. Lindsay Kenny took her daughter to the park about the same time the rally moved from the downtown core to the far end of Creekside Park on Columbia Gardens Road in Fruitvale.

She could hear the messaging from the protest, but became alarmed when a man on a bike began yelling obscenities at the protesters.

害羞草研究所淲hen I got down there, a guy on a bike was screaming at the top of his lungs, while my daughter was there, screaming profanities,害羞草研究所� said Kenny.

The protesters had been asked to move from the pole yard to the public park, where they set up a microphone for speeches. Everything was audible to Kenny who was playing on the swings with her child.

害羞草研究所淚 left before the police got there, my kids were tired, and I had nothing to do with the protest,害羞草研究所� said Kenny. 害羞草研究所淚 was minding my own business, but could hear everything.害羞草研究所�

While most of the 40 or so protesters were without masks, they appeared to be somewhat socially distanced.

Read more:

According to an RCMP release, the police intervened, and politely asked the protesters to disperse, stating: 害羞草研究所淭rail RCMP would like to remind the public that anyone attending such an event could be issued a $230 fine for attending a non-compliant event under Section 4(4) of the Emergency Program Act.害羞草研究所�

According to one attendee, the police were courteous and so were the protesters. Adding that the protest contained a number of different entities, including religious leaders who consider their work essential to the community, and are advocating for their right to provide spiritual guidance and service to Trail害羞草研究所檚 most vulnerable.

The protests also include anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers who question the accepted science, others are unapologetic COVID deniers, while many are civil rights advocates who are concerned with the restrictions placed on people and businesses by the emergency powers.

For the RCMP it害羞草研究所檚 about public safety.

害羞草研究所淭rail and Greater District community wants to prevent our local hospital from becoming overwhelmed with new cases, which will help ensure anyone can get medical treatment and care if required,害羞草研究所� read the release.

害羞草研究所淕atherings like this one can lead to the accelerated spread of COVID-19 through contact and close contact.害羞草研究所�

For Kenny, the experience has shown the dark side of people on both sides of the 害羞草研究所楪reat Divide害羞草研究所� and adversely affected her friends and family. Kenny害羞草研究所檚 presence at the park elicited a barrage of social media attacks, spreading misinformation.

害羞草研究所淩ight now everybody is angry,害羞草研究所� said Kenny. 害羞草研究所淓veryone害羞草研究所檚 angry on this side of the great divide and everybody害羞草研究所檚 angry on that side of the divide, and now people are threatening my kids. People are threatening me.害羞草研究所�

The right to peaceful assembly is one of Canada害羞草研究所檚 fundamental rights as is the Freedom of Conscience and Religion. The B.C. Supreme Court struck down the Public Health Order to ban outdoor protests but upheld the prohibition of in-person religious gatherings.

For Kenny, all sides need to take a deep breath and consider their actions both in public and on social media.

The Fruitvale councillor reached out to one of her online critics and had a discussion that ended in mutual understanding and compassion.

害羞草研究所淲e had a great talk, between her and I the divide is gone and there is understanding and love, and we need more of that.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭he bullying has to stop. People want to be heard, everybody wants to be heard, and I have my ears wide open, but lets do it in a safe way, because right now it害羞草研究所檚 getting too dangerous.害羞草研究所�

The experience has been a trying one for many people on both sides. But for all of Greater Trail, Kenny encourages understanding, support, and safety.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 the community as a whole, and we all need a big hug.害羞草研究所�

Read more:

Read more:

newsroom@trailtimes.ca
Like us on and follow us on