Anti-mask protesters confronted at pair of Kelowna schools

KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) — A small group of anti-mask protesters showed up at a pair of Kelowna schools on Monday with signs and pamphlets.

The protests happened on the campus of Rutland middle and senior secondary schools, and decried various government-imposed safety measures.

Central Okanagan schools superintendent Kevin Kaardal said the protest had about a dozen adults.

“They were, at one point, sort of pushing pamphlets in students’ hands and the students, I think, recycled them, is essentially what ended up occurring,” he said.

The protest group was eventually escorted off school grounds by a resource officer.

Kaardal said it’s disappointing the group chose to aim their grievances at young people, and while those involved have the right to protest, they need to do so off of school property.

“It’s always disappointing when people target youth for an issue,” he added. “We certainly don’t agree with what’s on the pamphlets, and our students don’t either. They’ve been well-educated by our staff.”

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Heather Friesen, who lives a couple of blocks from the schools, where her children attended, confronted the protesters.

“These people were right off the deep end,” she said, adding the recorded her interaction.

When she saw them handing pamphlets to students, she went over and grabbed them and told them to “leave our kids alone.”

Friesen approached RCMP who were on scene and was told protesters are free to express their opinions.