By Sierra D’Souza Butts, The World-Spectator, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Friday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe made a statement on potential protests at border crossings in Saskatchewan starting this weekend.
“To those who are going to have their voices heard at Saskatchewan border crossings:
“Your Saskatchewan government has heard and understands your concerns. We are removing all remaining provincial Covid-19 mandates by the end of this month and have called on the federal government to release a plan doing the same.
“We support your right to peaceful protest and to have your voices heard. Advancing your concerns through public demonstrations and protest is an important part of our democracy.
“I am asking you to exercise that right and make your voices heard without impeding the rights of others to cross the border.
“You know that the trucks crossing the border are driving our economy by carrying Saskatchewan goods to U.S. markets, and bringing products and materials into this province that we need to run our farms, build our canola crush plants, our potash mines, our forestry mills and every other part of our economy.
“The people in those trucks and other vehicles crossing the border are your fellow Canadians. They are your Saskatchewan friends and neighbors. Don’t advocate for your freedoms by obstructing theirs.
“So have your voice heard, honk, cheer the trucks on and stand up for what you believe. But as you stand up for your rights and freedoms, do so in a way that respects the rights and freedoms of others.
“Know that Saskatchewan hears you and your Saskatchewan government hears you. Let’s move through this pandemic and grow this province like we know we can.”
Protests were planned for border crossings in Saskatchewan in support of a protest in Ottawa calling for an end to Covid-related mandates.
A similar protest in Moosomin last weekend ended peacefully, with protestors dispersing after driving through the streets for an hour. About 100 vehicles gathered for that protest.
After listening to a speech about the need to end mask and vaccination mandates, the protesters entered their vehicles and drove along the Trans-Canada Highway and through the community, but they did as organizers suggested at the beginning of the protest and dispersed peacefully after driving through the streets for an hour.
Top photo credit: Protesters at the start of a protest in Moosomin Saturday calling for an end to mask and vaccine mandates. The protest ended peacefully and protesters dispersed after an hour. Protests are planned for Saskatchewan border crossings starting this weekend, and Premier Scott Moe says he respects the protesters right to express themselves, but asks that they not impede traffic at the border crossings – Sierra D’Souza Butts, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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