Sanitary measures: a demonstration reduced to a rally

No fine was given during this demonstration against the wearing of the mask which turned into a march around the Lake of Nations.

Share October 3, 2020 7.15 p.m. Share Sanitary measures: a demonstration reduced to a gathering

Andréanne Beaudry La Tribune About twenty police officers from the Sherbrooke Police Department (SPS) were waiting for the anti-mask demonstrators on Saturday at Jacques-Cartier Park to ensure compliance with the various health measures.

No fines were eventually handed out, but the sixty or so participants eventually gave up their original route on King West and decided to stick with a rally and march around the Lake of Nations.

Shortly before the scheduled departure at 1 p.m., a few dozen demonstrators gathered in the park, near the courtyard. Two SPS trucks, a vehicle and a motorcycle were watching with them the arrival of other people expected for the event.

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Aware of the risk of fines, the organizers advised participants to “pick it up”, if it was the case, so as to challenge it later.

“We are not anti-masks, but many people who oppose the obligation to wear it”, expressed a demonstrator.

After discussions, the sixty people decided to change their plans in order to avoid fines which can vary between $ 1,000 and $ 6,000 according to the new decree announced by the Legault government during the last week.

Remember that the demonstrators must submit to wearing a face cover and observe two meters distance between the participants.

Unanimously, they then decided to stay in Jacques-Cartier Park and thus avoid fines while expressing their opinion in a public place.

In groups of only 25 people, the participants went to the Marché de la Gare.

Demonstrations against the health measures planned due to the pandemic were also planned in a dozen cities, including Montreal, Quebec and Rimouski.