A rally in Moncton opposing vaccine mandates and lockdowns closed off the downtown core for just over an hour on Sunday.
At least 1,000 people gathered in a parking lot across from the Moncton Law Courts, holding flags and signs that contained anti-government or anti-vaccine mandate messages.
A tweet released by the New Brunswick RCMP at 12:18 p.m. notified the public that “Due to a peaceful protest, Main St from Foundry to Assomption and Assomption from Foundry to Main St is closed.”
The crowd – some on foot, others in cars or semi-trailer trucks – made its way into the downtown, rolling past Moncton City Hall with horns blaring and chants calling for “freedom.”
A rally in Moncton on Sunday required the RCMP to shut down several streets. (Photo by Robert Lothian)
According to Environment Canada, the temperature dipped to minus 9 with the wind chill.
At 1:39 p.m., RCMP announced Main Street had reopened, and just over a half-hour later, Assomption reopened.
New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border
Following the Moncton rally, truckers and other demonstrators travelled to Aulac and the border between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
A line of vehicles draped in Canada flags and homemade signs stretched down more than a kilometre of one lane of the Trans-Canada Highway, allowing other motorists to pass through.
Ahead of this demonstration, RCMP warned the public to “be prepared for possible delays” due to the potential for the entire highway to be blocked off.
In the same Twitter post, they noted members would be in the area to “promote public safety.”
“Our role is focused on maintaining order and keeping the peace, and our response will be assessed and adjusted as the situation dictates. Public safety is our top priority.”
The RCMP has not confirmed whether Sunday’s demonstrations resulted in arrests or fines.
Vehicles just before the NB/NS border on Sunday as a part of the Freedom convoy. Vehicles, as far as we can see, are blocking only the right lane, while allowing traffic through on the other lane.
Posted by 91.9 The Bend on Sunday, January 23, 2022
Protestors arrested in Fredericton
Meanwhile, similar protests occurred in front of Fredericton City Hall on Saturday, where police said two arrests were made and several fines were handed out.
“Approximately 400 people were in attendance, and while the protest remained mostly peaceful, there was a small group of citizens who acted to incite dissension, creating a dangerous and potentially violent situation,” reads a statement posted by the police force on Twitter.
It goes on to say two adult males face multiple criminal charges in addition to fines for non-compliance under the Emergency Measures Act.
Organizers also received tickets for being in contravention of the Act, and it’s believed other people involved will be ticketed as well.
Fredericton Police Chief Roger Brown shared his thoughts on the rally in the release.
“It is unfortunate that during a time where the pandemic is continuing to affect so many in our community, and across this province, that the organizers continued to promote this event. The tickets issued for those involved demonstrates the importance of holding to account those who continue to ignore the rules, putting public health and safety at risk.”
@CityFredPolice pic.twitter.com/j43Eltf6mw
— Fredericton Police (@CityFredPolice) January 22, 2022
