COVID-19 protests at Alberta Legislature continue, convoy halted by counter-protesters
CTV
Demonstrators moved into the legislature area and downtown Edmonton for the third Saturday in a row to protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and public health restrictions.
Demonstrators moved into the legislature area and downtown Edmonton for the third Saturday in a row to protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and public health restrictions.
Despite the temporary noise injunction the city was granted on Friday, convoys of vehicles could be heard honking their horns near the legislature grounds. While an official crowd size estimate was not available from the Edmonton Police Service, CTV News estimated there were hundreds of people, but less than at the previous two Saturday protests.
Traffic was halted at River Valley Road by the Royal Glenora Club after a group of counter-protesters blocked a "freedom convoy" from getting downtown as Fortway Drive remained blocked off by Alberta Sheriffs, as were other access points. CTV News estimates there were around 30 counter-protesters.
Some of the counter-protesters signs read, "Freedom means not having to say goodbye to a dying loved one on FaceTime," "Fed up," "Honk 4 Nurses," and "Not in our city."
Counter-protesters blocked westbound traffic for almost an hour before the Edmonton Police Service intervened and moved the demonstrators to the sidewalk so traffic, including the convoy, could flow again. Eastbound traffic was allowed through by the counter-protesters periodically.
Brandon, one counter-protester, told CTV News that the group was there to show that many Edmontonians do not agree with the messages the convoys and protesters were sending.
"We don't want these people driving through our town," he said, "blocking up traffic."
