Kamloops protesters to rally against media outlets

After opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, a Kamloops group is taking aim at media outlets during a similar demonstration this weekend.

The group, called Freedom Kamloops, held a rally supporting truckers against COVID-19 vaccine mandates last weekend and another one will be happening this weekend.

The upcoming demonstration, called the Bear Hug Convoy Support Rally, appears to be two-pronged – the poster shows solidarity with the Convoy for Freedom in Ottawa, and it is also insulted media outlets, claiming they are “the virus.”

The convoy will make its way to a media outlet – Castanet at 275 Seymour Street – after meeting at Petro Pass on Kokanee Way at 10 a.m. today, Feb. 5. The two locations are about 16 kilometres apart.

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Unlike the upcoming event, the poster for last weekend’s demonstration didn’t mention media outlets and the destination chosen was a courthouse instead of the office of a media company.

The Bear Hug in Kamloops – just like the rolling protests in the Okangan and the Coutts blockade in Alberta – was inspired by the trucker protest in Ottawa, where demonstrators have been occupying the city's downtown since last weekend.

There is also a rally planned for the B.C. Legislature in Victoria this weekend. Police there will “consider all the tools and options available to them to protect people” Mike Farnworth, B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said in a public statement.

Organizers of the Bear Hug Convoy Support Rally did not return a request for comment.

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