MIRROR: Despite an unprecedented court injunction from the Alberta government and warnings from police that anti-lockdown protestors would be arrested on the spot, about 1,500 demonstrated have gathered while it rains in the parking lot of the Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror..The protestors are demonstrating against what they say are unjustified lockdowns and restrictions imposed by the Alberta government to combat COVID-19..As the protest takes place in Mirror, a massive police presence is gathering strength in nearby Forestburg. Reports from Forestburg say armoured police cars and approximately 6 empty buses stand ready, presumable to transport arrested protestors..A few tickets were handed out, but overall the crowd remained respectul. The protest wrapped up about 5 p.m..The protest is hosted by Whistle Stop Cafe owner Chris Scott, who has said that he will now be seeking the Wildrose Independence Party nomination in the next election to challenge sitting UCP MLA Ron Orr in the Lacombe-Panoka constituency..Scott says he expects a visit from the RCMP on Monday to be charged..Wildrose leadership candidate Paul Hinman is speaking at the protest, alongside Chris Scott, Dr. Roger Hodkinson, and others..The Whistle Stop Cafe has become a flashpoint in resistance to provincial lockdown orders and restrictions imposed by the Kenney government, as its owner, Chris Scott, defied the orders and “illegally” reopened in mid-January of 2021..Last week, the RCMP raided the establishment and carted away all its booze. On Wednesday, the RCMP and AHS officials showed up en masse and padlocked the building..Undeterred, Scott continued cooking pancakes, making burgers and serving coffee to his customers in the parking lot outside his shuttered restaurant. The UCP government recently banned outdoor patio service for restaurants..But the AHS, which sought the injunction, said the judge ruled it illegal because it would not comply with public health restrictions on mandatory masking, attendance limits, and social distancing..“The order restrains the owner and others from organizing, promoting and attending the event and includes police enforcement and imposes significant consequences on the organizers of this event,” AHS said in a statement to media..The Western Standard has reporters on the scene at the Whistle Stop and will continue to provide updates as the story progresses..NadineWellwood is a correspondent for the Western Standard
MIRROR: Despite an unprecedented court injunction from the Alberta government and warnings from police that anti-lockdown protestors would be arrested on the spot, about 1,500 demonstrated have gathered while it rains in the parking lot of the Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror..The protestors are demonstrating against what they say are unjustified lockdowns and restrictions imposed by the Alberta government to combat COVID-19..As the protest takes place in Mirror, a massive police presence is gathering strength in nearby Forestburg. Reports from Forestburg say armoured police cars and approximately 6 empty buses stand ready, presumable to transport arrested protestors..A few tickets were handed out, but overall the crowd remained respectul. The protest wrapped up about 5 p.m..The protest is hosted by Whistle Stop Cafe owner Chris Scott, who has said that he will now be seeking the Wildrose Independence Party nomination in the next election to challenge sitting UCP MLA Ron Orr in the Lacombe-Panoka constituency..Scott says he expects a visit from the RCMP on Monday to be charged..Wildrose leadership candidate Paul Hinman is speaking at the protest, alongside Chris Scott, Dr. Roger Hodkinson, and others..The Whistle Stop Cafe has become a flashpoint in resistance to provincial lockdown orders and restrictions imposed by the Kenney government, as its owner, Chris Scott, defied the orders and “illegally” reopened in mid-January of 2021..Last week, the RCMP raided the establishment and carted away all its booze. On Wednesday, the RCMP and AHS officials showed up en masse and padlocked the building..Undeterred, Scott continued cooking pancakes, making burgers and serving coffee to his customers in the parking lot outside his shuttered restaurant. The UCP government recently banned outdoor patio service for restaurants..But the AHS, which sought the injunction, said the judge ruled it illegal because it would not comply with public health restrictions on mandatory masking, attendance limits, and social distancing..“The order restrains the owner and others from organizing, promoting and attending the event and includes police enforcement and imposes significant consequences on the organizers of this event,” AHS said in a statement to media..The Western Standard has reporters on the scene at the Whistle Stop and will continue to provide updates as the story progresses..NadineWellwood is a correspondent for the Western Standard
