Cafe owner arrested, dozens ticketed leaving anti-restriction protest in Alberta

RCMPticketed protesters leaving a rally against public health restrictionsoutside a central Alberta cafe Saturday, after the establishment was closed by health officials earlier in the week.

Despite pouring rain and a pre-emptive court injunction, hundredsgathered outside the Whistle Stop Cafe in the hamlet of Mirrorfor the "Save Alberta Campout Protest."

RCMP confirmed one person was arrested Saturday evening, under the court order.

Demonstrators were there to support cafe owner Chris Scott andchallenge public health orders meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Video posted tothe cafe's Facebook page showedScott being arrested.

A spokesperson for the RCMP said officers took the first three hoursof the protest to educate demonstrators on COVID-19 regulations andnotify them that they were contravening the injunction.

"There was a decision at one point to start mountingenforcement," said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff. "That was around 4 p.m."
Savinkoff said police would provide a more thorough update on howmany people were ticketed later Saturday.

On Wednesday, AHS said it closed the cafe after the agencyreceived more than 400 complaints about the business since January.

Health authorities said the cafe is to remain closed until Scott candemonstrate the ability to comply with health restrictions.

Alberta Health Services said after hearing about plans for theprotest that the provincial government would take legal action thatwould allow RCMP officers to use reasonable force in arresting andremoving any person at the rally who contravenes public healthorders.

But that didn't stop people without masks from standing togetherto cheer and clap when Scott stood on a stage and encouraged them tofight for their freedom.

"I've been accused of a lot of things over this. They think it'sabout money. They think it's about popularity. I could care lessabout that," Scott told the crowd.

"I'm not fine with anyone telling me what to do with my body orhow to earn an income."

Scott then asked the crowd to follow COVID-19 regulations at therally due to the injunction.

Three hours later, RCMP officers with body cameras began handingout tickets under the Public Health Act to those leaving the areafor participating in the illegal gathering.

Last weekend, hundreds of people gathered near Bowden, Alta., fora pre-advertised maskless "No More Lockdowns"protest rodeo.

Days later, Premier Jason Kenneyannounced stronger restrictions anddoubled fines for scofflaws.