A large crowd of anti-mask demonstrators gathered outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery on New Year's Eve to protest the B.C. government restrictions related to COVID-19.
However, many people speculate that the protest wasn't much more than a party--one without any physical distancing or face masks.
The NYE Freedom Rally Dance Party kicked off around 8 p.m. outside of the Art Gallery and featured guest speakers, live music, a kid's corner, dance parties, and more. A flyer for the event states that the group opposes the government orders and "will celebrate the new year!"
Protestors included members of various groups, including Hugs Over Masks, 5G and QAnon conspiracy theorists, anti-vaccine advocates, and more. They held signs that read "freedom is essential," "false evidence appearing real," "we are all essential," and "fake news."
At least one sign added that "dancing is essential," too.
Protestor allegedly bites Vancouver Police officer
A short while after at 11:30 p.m., the VPD says officers responded to a call for a protestor who was climbing on top of one of the statues on site.
While police were escorting the individual off the property, she allegedly bit one of the officers. The woman was charged with assaulting a police officer.
Vancouver Is Awesome shared a story about the gathering on social media, and numerous readers felt that the protest should have shut down.
On Twitter, @NahNahNahtahlee remarks that the group was "putting everyone else in danger," and that police should "charge them."
On Facebook, Niki Rotmeyer writes that, "That wasn't a protest. It was billed as a dance party. The organizers should be fined like anyone else was who had a party."
"It is their democratic right"
Vancouver police deployed extra officers in Vancouver's entertainment district on New Year's Eve, and they responded to 34 calls related to the ‘Gathering and Events’ order from the Provincial Health Officer.
In an email, VPD Cst. Tania Visintin tells V.I.A. that police prepare for hundreds of events, protests, and demonstrations in Vancouver every year. She adds that this group had a right to protest, just like anyone else.
"Public safety is always our priority," she explained. "Our officers support people’s right to peaceful protest because it is their democratic right-- whether or not they agree with what is being protested."
When asked why the VPD didn't shut down the protest, Visintin said that Vancouver Police officers exercise their discretion in the enforcement of public health orders.
"They must weigh a citizen’s right to peacefully protest with the current potential harm of gatherings," she says.
"Mass arrests are not possible or desirable. Ticketing and arrests could escalate an already passionate situation, and when there are larger groups of people, the risk of injury to both protestors and police officers rises."
That said, Visintin notes that this doesn't mean anyone is granted "special privileges" at a protest.
"The bottom line is that if people are contravening the public health order, they could be issued a ticket."
"Anti-Mask" sentiment in Metro Vancouver and beyond
In a COVID-19 daily briefing, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry underscored that she has "no time for people who are belligerent" and try to downplay the severity of the pandemic, or deny that COVID-19 exists.
"This is a truly challenging pandemic and I have no time for people who believe that wearing a mask somehow makes them ill or is a sign of lack of freedom," she said.
"To me, it's about respect for our fellow people who are suffering through this with us."
