Third Okanagan convoy protest against vaccine mandates this weekend | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Third Okanagan convoy protest against vaccine mandates this weekend

FILE PHOTO: A crowd of supporters gathered at the intersection of Prairie Valley Road and Highway 97 in Summerland to cheer on the Okanagan Slow Roll Convoy as it traveled south on Feb. 5.

Another convoy of protestors plan to driver from Vernon to Osoyoos along Highway 97 this Saturday and an organizer predicts it will be bigger than the previous two.

Organizer Nessy Burkitt said last weekend’s demonstration against vaccine mandates was bigger than the first one, and she expects more people will participate in the protest, Feb. 12.

Hundreds of protestors have spent the past two Saturdays driving down Highway 97 from Vernon to Osoyoos. The rally grows throughout the day as it moves through each community in the Okanagan. Many participants dress up their vehicles – mostly pickup trucks – with Canada flags and slogans.

When the convoy reaches Osoyoos the protestors have a tailgate party of sorts with road hockey, food and music.

It’s a great place to network for people who are out of work because of the vaccine mandate, Burkitt said.

READ MORE: From hate-mail to pizza: Why are protesters targeting the news media?

Last Saturday, one driver in Kelowna was doing burnouts along the route until he was dealt with by police.

“I think he was there just to cause problems,” Burkitt said.

And a man in Penticton tried to block the convoy by standing in front of it with a “Klu Klux Convoy” sign, but he too was dealt with police, Burkitt said.

“We get the finger flipped at us a lot and we just shoot them back some love. We return hostility with love,” she said.

Allan MacLean, 62, from Vernon, said he will be joining protest for the first time this weekend.

READ MORE: For the first time, anti-masker wins minor victory at Human Rights Tribunal

“So I got some friends and we’re going to step up and do our part because I feel like this is a very important protest to be involved in. It's affected too many lives for too long,” MacLean said.

One of MacLean's reasons for wanting the vaccine mandates to end is so he can watch his grandchildren play sports again.

The protest convoy will gather at the weigh scales, just north of Vernon, Saturday morning before making its way through the Okanagan to Osoyoos.


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