RCMP investigate Remembrance Day protest calling it 'a step too far'

UPDATE: Kelowna RCMP are asking anyone who captured the disruption, or the events leading up to it, on video, to upload that video or send a link to video using the following email proxy:

KelownaRememberanceDayVideos@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

This proxy will be available until November 30, 2021.

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Kelowna RCMP have called the actions of protesters at an informal Remembrance Day gathering at City Park ‘a step too far’ and have launched an investigation.

Up to 100 protesters – at least some of whom have been part of anti-vaccination demonstrations – disrupted the gathering at the cenotaph.

Members of the public and veterans had turned up to remember, even though there was no officially sanctioned Remembrance Day event in Kelowna because of pandemic restrictions.

Police were called in to keep the peace just before 11 a.m. after the protesters began interrupting the gathering.

In a media release, Kelowna RCMP Inspector Adam MacIntosh said they support a person or group’s right to protest, "…but when they choose to willfully interrupt the assembly of citizens at a Remembrance Day ceremony; this is a step too far."

He said the Kelowna RCMP will be fully investigating this event to determine what offence, criminal or otherwise may have been committed and, if appropriate, the submission of charges or fines.

Police have asked anyone who captured the disruption on video to send a copy of the video to the Kelowna RCMP.

The RCMP is in the process of creating an email proxy for this purpose and more information will soon be made available.