Security measures for Shahab boosted after `sickening' protest
Moe slams anti-mask rally outside home of Sask. chief medical officer
A Covid-19-denying, anti-mask demonstration in front of the Regina home of Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer Saturday afternoon was branded by Premier Scott Moe as a “misguided protest” by “a group of idiots.”
Moe, in a statement issued late Saturday night, encouraged the Regina
Police Service and RCMP “to investigate any potential breaches of the law or public health orders and press charges accordingly,” after at least a dozen people took their message to the sidewalks of Dr. Saqib Shahab's street.
Moe said the two police agencies are working to ensure the immediate safety of Shahab and his family.
“This harassment of Dr. Shahab
and his family at their home is simply unacceptable, sickening and wrong,” Moe said, adding that those that participated, “should be ashamed of yourselves and your actions.”
Video posted by one of the participants shows a crowd, some holding signs directly critical of Shahab, walking back and forth on the street and sidewalk under the watch of Regina police officers in nearby vehicles.
“Unfortunately, the government is currently evaluating long-term security options to ensure that
Dr. Shahab can continue focusing on providing the valuable advice he has throughout the pandemic without needing to worry about his personal safety or that of his family,” Moe said.
In a Facebook post accompanying the video and a photo, an active anti-mask organizer mistakenly identifies their target as the health minister — not the chief medical health officer. The post also refers to a verbal altercation with a neighbour.
Police responded to a call at the Legislative Building around 2 p.m. Saturday before responding to the report related to the Shahab family home about 30 minutes later.
In a news release issued Sunday afternoon, the RPS said officers “monitored the situation and conducted an investigation until the protesters departed at approximately 3:30 p.m.
“Police will review the information gathered to determine if further action is required.”
Further action could potentially include tickets for breaching the Public Health Orders restricting both public and private outdoor gatherings to 10 people.
Organizers of these self-described “freedom rallies” have stated online their intent to hold them every Saturday.
“After months of spending virtually every waking hour working tirelessly to protect the health and well being of Saskatchewan people though this pandemic, this is the
last thing Dr. Shahab deserves,” Moe said.
“As Premier, I know some will disagree with the actions and decisions of the government. But disagreeing with decisions made by our government gives no one the right to harass a dedicated public servant and his family. If you disagree with a decision our government has made, you can take it up with me. Email me at scott.moe@ gov.sk.ca, or call your MLA.”
On Jan. 13 Shahab was escorted from the Legislative Building to
his car by security as a small group of anti-mask protesters followed him from the door. Jim Billington, Moe's executive director of communications, told the Leader-post in a statement this was a precautionary measure and not in response to any specific threat.
A month before that, a speaker made xenophobic comments about Shahab during a protest against COVID -19 restrictions on the steps of the Legislative Building.
At the time, Moe described the comments as “beneath contempt.”