B.C.’s Public Safety Minister calls for peaceful protests

With more COVID-19 protests planned in communities around B.C. this weekend, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General is calling for peaceful and lawful assemblies.

Mike Farnworth issued a statement Friday saying that the government recognizes the public’s right to engage in peaceful protests, but law officials will also be able to use tools and options to protect people, preserve public safety and investigate unlawful conduct.

“British Columbians have been navigating the ongoing challenges of the pandemic together, and it is unfair to have one group disrupt the lives of so many others as we are seeing in Ottawa and other cities throughout Canada,” said Farnworth.

“We understand the strain of this pandemic, but we must come together to beat COVID-19.”