HRP prepared for next anti-mask rally

Halifax Regional Police are preparing for another anti-restrictions rally scheduled for Halifax on Saturday.

HRP spokesman Const. John Macleod said he can't give specifics about deployment plans but the force is ready to take action to protect public safety.

“What I can tell you is at this point any event that's planned that goes in contravention of those COVID restrictions is going to be taken very seriously,” Macleod said on Monday.

“We've heard from public health right now that the risks are just too great for gatherings with this current spike, and that's kind of where we are.”

Social media posts claim similar protests against COVID-19 restrictions are planned for multiple cities across Canada.

Police were criticized after a similar rally was held in Halifax on May 1 in which no tickets were issued for contravening rules against such gatherings while tickets were issued at numerous house parties and gatherings the same weekend.

A summary offence ticket under section 71 (1) (b) of the Health Protection Act for failing to comply with the act and its regulations carries a fine of $2,000.

Macleod neither ruled out nor confirmed whether police will be issuing tickets this time.

“We will use whatever measures we have at our disposal to keep everyone safe as we move forward through this,” he said.

“It's hard to determine what's going to happen in advance, but like I say, we certainly will use what measures we have at our disposal to deal with whatever it is that we find that may or may not happen. That's the problem with a future event and things that haven't happened.

“We will be looking to do whatever we can to keep everyone safe.”

Billed as a World Wide Rally for Freedom, the protest against COVID-19 restrictions is planned for Saturday at Citadel Hill.

Twitter users responding to an HRP post issued on Monday reiterating their stand were generally against the protest.

“As an essential worker, please don't allow this to happen,” one writer using the name Amanda posted. “These people who protest masks and lockdowns is a slap in the face to us front line workers who have no choice but to serve these people while risking our safety each and everyday because of their selfish behaviour.”

Nick Buttertarts Party of NS wrote: “I'm going to be blunt with this if you want to get back some public trust don't allow them to have it I know the right to protest is a thing but under a state of emergency or lockdown that rule should not over ride the bigger picture if they do it fine everyone of them only fair.”

Betsy Hogan posted: “Friendly reminder that the actual power of civil disobedience, which is what this is, lies in readiness to peacefully accept anticipated consequences. I look forward to watching them joyfully receive and pay their tickets to make their 'point.'”