The Field of Crosses on display in Kelowna's City Park for Remembrance Day.
(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)
October 29, 2022 - 9:37 AM
After a Kelowna Remembrance Day ceremony was interrupted by people spreading anti-COVID-19 vaccine rhetoric, this year’s ceremony will see more police on site.
An operational plan is in place for this year’s ceremony at the City Park cenotaph and additional officers from the RCMP’s community safety unit will also be on site to ensure the service is safe and respectful, said Sgt. Scott Powrie of the Kelowna RCMP, said in a statement.
“The RCMP would like to add that it is a criminal offence to disturb certain meetings, contrary to Section 176(2) of the Criminal Code. There will be no tolerance for those intent on causing a disturbance.”
Darlene McCaffery, president of Kelowna’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26, said there’s concern following last year’s turn of events.
Linda Jackson was charged with one count of disturbing order or solemnity of a meeting in relation to the incident Nov. 11, 2021. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 31.
READ MORE: Police investigating anti-vax disruption of Kelowna Remembrance Day ceremony
“My deal is you’re Canadian, you’re a citizen and you want to respect our veterans, you’re welcome but I have a feeling that people throughout the crowd that won’t be in full dress will be keeping an eye on things,” McCaffery said.
The ceremony will stay the same and will go ahead regardless of interruptions, she said.
“I think we should be OK, I really hope it isn’t some big story afterwards.”
This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony, Nov. 11, will start at 10:30 a.m. with a parade followed by a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph. Refreshments and music at Parkinson Recreation Centre will also be available. This will be the first full-sized event since the start of the pandemic.
“I think it’s going to be a very busy one because I’ve noticed anything we’ve done relating to the veterans or the legion, people have been coming out to because they’ve missed it.”
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