Woman sorry she shared bar video

Says she's being harassed after her post that show unmasked people dancing

A Regina woman who faced online harassment after posting a video of unmasked people dancing at a local bar says she regrets sharing the video publicly on Facebook.

“I have never in my life had so much attention. I didn't do it for attention. I didn't do it to bring attention to me, ever,” she said.

The woman has been the target of harassment from an anti-masking group online.

Postmedia is not publishing her name.

The video, posted on the weekend, shows patrons at The Tap Brewhouse in Regina dancing without masks, a violation of health rules.

The video sparked outrage among people frustrated to see others flouting the rules, prompting even Premier Scott Moe to address it during a Tuesday news conference. It also angered people who referred to the woman as a “snitch.”

Her name and photos of her were shared to a local Facebook page used by people expressing anger at public health orders and skepticism of scientifically proven facts regarding COVID-19. A “snitch alert” post on the page has since been removed.

The woman said she filed a harassment complaint to police after she got messages calling her a Karen and a Nazi.

“Someone really, really wanted to make my life hell,” she said.

The woman said she took the video because she was frustrated by staff she alleged were taking part in the dancing at the bar. Despite The Tap saying it was an isolated incident, she alleged this wasn't the first time.

She made the video public on Facebook because a friend told her they wanted to send it to the authorities, she added.

Jeff Stephen, general manager and part-owner of The Tap, did not wish to comment on the woman's allegation that staff were taking part in the dancing. He said the bar has not yet been issued a fine, but has been in contact with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and is “obviously co-operating 1,000 per cent with everyone.”

The woman said she wasn't trying to harm The Tap, and has been a regular patron for years. If she had a second chance, she said, she would opt to speak with an owner in private.

For those who are frustrated if they see someone breaking the public health orders, Regina police spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich advised against sharing a video publicly.

“It does little to no good to post to social media when you see an infraction of the public health orders. Instead, contact the Saskatchewan Health Authority or call police,” she said.

Popowich said there is little police can do about online harassment unless direct threats are made.