Locals gather at 'Right to Choose' sidewalk rally in opposition to pandemic mandates

Around 200 community members gathered together this afternoon in Ganges on Salt Spring Island in what organizers described as a 'Right to Choose' sidewalk rally. The event was intended to demonstrate solidarity with those who oppose mask and vaccine mandates being implemented by Federal and Provincial governments in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Demonstrators stood together along the Centennial Park pathway and Lower Ganges Road encouraging passing motorists and pedestrians to join them in their support of medical freedom and the right of choice in opposition to mask and vaccine mandates.

Numerous protest signs with messages that included 'My body, my choice", "If the vaccine works, why the passports?", "No masks on kids", "Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of the truth.", "Stop medical tyranny, say no to mandatory vaccines" and more were carried by participants, many of whom hoped to raise awareness about what they see as the infringement of personal rights and freedoms being put in place by health authorities.

The protest was held as B.C. health officials announced in their most recent pandemic update that there were 814 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of active cases to 5,550 across the province. In our Island Health region there were 90 new cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 485. Hospitalizations are up 283 per cent from a month ago, with 261 people in hospital and 129 in intensive care. Over 77 per cent of new COVID-19 infections are among the unvaccinated according to a written statement provided by the health office.

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By Christopher Roy

Founder and former Owner/Operator of the Salt Spring Exchange - Social Venture Entrepreneur | Photographer - Unceded Coast Salish + Nuu-chah-nulth Territories - West Coast, BC, Canada - christopherroy.com

September 8, 2021 2:01 PM