End of COVID-19 mandates near but ‘freedom’ rallies continue in the Okanagan

COVID-19 restriction protestors are meeting with their counterparts in the U.S. today in Osoyoos, despite B.C.'s decision to ease mandates.

The number of rally participants remained strong today, March 12, on their drive from Vernon to Osoyoos in protest of COVID-19 mandates. The province announced the end of mask mandates as of March 11 and the end of vaccine passports requirements for businesses is expected in April.

It’s the first rally in the Okanagan since Premier John Horgan told convoy protesters to “get a hobby,” when referring to a convoy group planning on demonstrating in Victoria next week.

Today in Summerland – which is near the halfway point of the route – less honking could be heard and more effort was put into decorating the vehicles compared to weeks past.

READ MORE: From Vernon to Osoyoos, Highway 97 congested by convoy against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions

For the first time, Okanagan convoy supporters are rendezvousing with another convoy from the United States. They plan on gathering for food, entertainment and camaraderie at a fence that marks the border of Osoyoos and Washington State.

The convoy protests began in January to protest cross-border vaccine mandates for truckers, when a group of truckers left from Victoria for the nation's capital. The demonstration quickly became popular and controversial. The initial goal of ending mandates affecting truckers evolved into a broader protest against all pandemic restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

After the convoy arrived in Ottawa it morphed into an occupation of the city's downtown. Organizers raised millions of dollars but much of it was returned to donors.

States of emergencies were declared in Ottawa and Ontario and the Emergencies Act was invoked by the federal government. Downtown Ottawa was cleared of the occupation by Feb. 21 but offshoot protests continue in many part of Canada.

READ MORE: Politics of convoy protests 'here to stay,' and so are movement's leaders: experts

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