(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

A Kamloops political rally at city hall today was derailed by anti-vaccine protesters before it even started.

A newly created slate of candidates for the upcoming municipal election called Action 22 was set to hold a rally at Kamloops city hall today, March 31. The intent was to show support for businesses experiencing crime in the city.

Although the "call to action" was to focus on safety and security in Kamloops, organizers caught wind of anti-vaccine protesters planning to usurp the demonstration.

READ MORE: Could a tax on million dollar homes help fight B.C.'s housing affordability crunch?

"I got some messages that anti-vax folks were going to join. Then pro-vax protesters were going to join too," Darpan Sharma, who helped promote the planned rally on social media, said.

Action 22 is headed by mayoral candidate and business owner Ray Dhaliwal. He is concerned about property crime and citizen safety in Kamloops, and the recent closure of the downtown McDonald's instigated his call for the rally at city hall.

FILE PHOTO - Mayoral candidate Ray Dhaliwal cancelled a March 31, 2022, rally at Kamloops City hall before anti-vaccine protesters could usurp the message.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Ray Dhaliwal

"None of us even thought about (anti-vaccine protesters) until stuff started coming out. We just thought we'd have a rally to support businesses that have been closing left and right," Dhaliwal said. "We didn't want that to shed a negative light on what we were going to rally about, so we decided to cancel it."

READ MORE: Sunday best day to enjoy spring weather in Kamloops, Okanagan this weekend

It was expected to take place at 4:30 p.m. today, according to a post to the Action 22 Facebook page.

"Let us unite in peaceful solidarity to support the many businesses and neighbourhoods across this city in desperate need of change," the post reads.

As pandemic-related health measures continue to wane in B.C., Dhaliwal never considered making a backup plan in case protesters with ulterior motives joined in.

READ MORE: Manitoba cycling team had all their bikes stolen in Penticton

He said, however, that while he hoped to see around 100 people arrive at the steps of City hall to join the rally, he wasn't sure just how many pandemic-related protesters would show up.

Still, he remains concerned about rising property crime in Kamloops and he hopes to hold a rally in the coming months as he recruits council-hopefuls for the Action 22 party.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2022