Crown considers charges against anti-COVID protestor who disrupted Kelowna Remembrance Day ceremony

The B.C. Prosecution Service will be deciding whether or not to pursue charges against the woman who appeared to lead a COVID-19 protest that interrupted the Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph in Kelowna last year.

Kelowna RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Tammy Lobb confirmed in an emailed statement today, Feb. 23, that following an investigation into the incident, disclosure has been sent to Crown to be reviewed. However, RCMP did not say what charges were being considered.

Charges are being considered against the woman because she brought a microphone and speaker to the cenotaph in Kelowna on Nov. 11 to rant about COVID restrictions.

About 75 to 100 were trying to pay their respects to fallen war heroes and became upset when they realized an anti-vaxxer had amplified herself, so a disturbance ensued. Video of the incident shows her short speech being met with jeers while she was asked both politely, and aggressively, to leave.

RCMP Insp. Adam MacIntosh said at the time that Crown counsel would decide whether it is worth pursuing charges, and that he believed the case would meet the threshold of section 176 of the Criminal Code of Canada titled: Disturbing religious worship or certain meetings. He said the language was broad enough to cover the situation.

“I believe, a group of people were gathering for a moral, social or benevolent purpose and they were interrupted,” MacIntosh said a day after the ceremony was disrupted. “And, I believe that interruption was potentially criminal in nature and that fits into the definition of this and they could face criminal charges. I think the average person may agree to that.”

In November, investigators took the unusual step of creating a special email address to accept video evidence and witness statements.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.