Civil liberties advocate defends right to protest after rallies outside B.C. hospitals – CBC

Community groups say there are legitimate concerns about impact of vaccine passports on vulnerable groups

Sep 02, 2021

In response to outrage over demonstrations against vaccine passports across B.C. this week, a civil liberties advocate is reminding the public that protesting is a fundamental right shared by all Canadians.

Meghan McDermott, interim policy director for the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), said she understands people are stressed out and scared right now, and many may be angry that protesters gathered outside hospitals where health-care workers are treating people with COVID-19.

“However, the bottom line with Canadian law and with living in a free and open democratic society is that we generally have the right to protest and to express dissent about government measures,” McDermott told CBC News.

She noted that the right to protest is not absolute though, and demonstrations could reasonably be restricted if they interfere with things like access to health care or harm people in other ways.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-vaccine-passport-protest-response-1.6163359

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