About 100 to 150 people marched and gathered in downtown Squamish Saturday afternoon for the "Sea to Sky Freedom Protestival."
Those in attendance carried signs against masks and the COVID-19 vaccines.
Squamish RCMP were on hand.
“I want to assure Squamish citizens that no permits were issued by the District of Squamish for this event," Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott told The Chief.
"I understand that there are many who are upset by the protest [Saturday] as am I, but we live in a country where freedom of speech and the right to protest peacefully is upheld. We all want to see the pandemic behind us, and many individuals and businesses are hurting. I urge residents to keep their eye on the end goal and let's each do what we need to do to keep our own families and workplaces safe, support local businesses and get to the other side of this as quickly as possible.”
Kerry Neil, executive director of the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association, said that a few protestors at the march were verbally aggressive to those on the streets wearing masks.
“I am aware of one business that felt uncomfortable enough to close for the rest of the day. The festival itself appeared to be peaceful for the most part and not at all the numbers protesting that we were expecting. In fact, apart from the busy Farmers’ Market morning and the festival in the park, downtown did not feel that busy for a sunny Saturday afternoon in May,” she said.
“Interesting choice of timing for this protest with it being a sunny long weekend, vaccinations increasing, COVID-19 cases decreasing, and the upcoming announcement from the province this Tuesday. But everyone is very welcome to their opinion, and this pandemic is trying on so many. Let's just hope the health minister brings us some good news on Tuesday.”
*Please note, this story has been updated twice to include quotes from the mayor and Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association.
