Hundreds protest COVID-19 mandates at ‘freedom rally’ in Edmonton Saturday
Posted September 18, 2021 1:21 pm.
Last Updated September 19, 2021 9:35 am.
EDMONTON (CityNews) ─ A few hundred protesters gathered outside the Alberta legislature Saturday afternoon for what organizers called a “freedom rally” in opposition of COVID-19 health measures.
About 400 Edmontonians attended the “World Wide Rally for Freedom” − one of several planned demonstrations across Canada and the world.
Protesters waved Canadian flags and held signs voicing their displeasure with various public-health measures.
One of the handmade signs read “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” Another read “Don’t Believe the Fake News,” echoing a sentiment often shared by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
A scattering of purple People’s Party of Canada election posters could be seen throughout the crowd. The federal party led by Maxime Bernier has become associated with the anti-mandate movement.
Other Canadian cities said to be hosting their own rallies − according to posters on the organizers’ website − were Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and many more.
Protests opposing COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine passports, curfews and other measures designed to curb the spread of the virus have become somewhat commonplace during the federal election campaign.
