Hundreds of people again defied the government’s restrictions this Saturday in Calgary to take part in a “Freedom Rally”, protesting Alberta’s mask laws and partial COVID-19 lockdown..About 400 people watched speeches in the Municipal Plaza before the group marched down the Stephen Avenue Mall. Outdoor gatherings are limited by cabinet order to no more than 10 people..Numerous vehicles parked in the area were adorned with “Republic of Alberta” and “No Masks” signs..Protesters wearing Proud Boys shirts appeared to be providing security for the rally. Members stood around the stage and questioned people trying to enter the area.. Defying crackdown, hundreds march against lockdowns in Calgary .Rally organizer Brad Carrigan said in an interview that medical experts around the world have now said the COVID-19 pandemic is “a hoax”..“People are starting to understand that.”.The rally – under warm December sunshine – began with ‘O Canada‘, with several Canadian flags, flying upside down. Police officers watching the crowd saluted the anthem as it was sung.. 09F92CA7-5BC0-4E91-9AA3-E019467F5C99JCCF head John Carpay at Calgary rally with son Victor. Photo by Dave Naylor, Western Standard .“We will not bow down to tyranny. We will not acquiesce to fascism,” said the opening speaker..Carrigan told the crowd: “We have to start questioning what is happening.” As chats of ‘CBC sucks’ started..Carrigan went on a diatribe about vaccines, claiming they are responsible for an increase in autism cases and questioned whether Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam “worked for the Chinese.”. D50DBAD0-6CBD-4AF8-9F4D-533FBBA1F7B4 .The biggest applause of the day went to Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms head John Carpay when he announced his group has filed an 11-page injunction against the Alberta government over their COVID regulations..“We’ve had nine months of fear mongering,” Carpay said..He told the crowd that 200,000 surgeries have been cancelled across the country and 500,000 MRI procedures have been delayed. The crowd chanted ‘murderers.’.Carpay urged the crowd to continue with their protesting and for anyone who ends being fined to plead not guilty and come to the JCCF for representation.. B2B5230B-EC7C-49BE-A1F7-654C52D86B24Hazmat suit wearing men at Calgary rally. Photo by Dave Naylor, Western Standard .“Better to die standing than live on your knees,” he said..A similar rally last weekend resulted in nine people being charged. They face fines of $1,200. Second-time offenders face penalties of up to $100,000.. Artur PawlowskiArtur Pawlowski at a Calgary rally .One of the organizers of last week’s rally who was charged, Artur Pawlowski, a well known Calgary street preacher who is regularly charged with bylaw infractions, was in attendance again..During the march, an angry Councillor Druh Farrell expressed disappointment with the protesters..“These #COVIDIOTS are hurting businesses along Stephen Ave. Constituents have reported that some have forced their way into shops, intimidating staff and customers. Freedom to hurt others isn’t freedom,” she tweeted..Alberta announced a record 1,879 new cases of the virus on Saturday..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
