More than 200 people gathered along the sidewalks near Abbotsford Regional Hospital (ARH) on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 1) to protest COVID-19 provincial health measures, including vaccine passports and mandatory vaccinations for health-care workers.
The protest is among many that took place outside hospitals across the province. At the time the Abbotsford News was there at around 3:30 p.m., there were more than 200 people on scene.
Horns blared in support as drivers passed the protesters lining both sides of Marshall Road in front of ARH. The protesters carried signs with statements such as “Consent not coercion,” “My body, my choice” and “Hitler would be proud.”
At one point, a driver stopped her vehicle in the middle of the road, opened her door and waved to the crowd. She then remained stopped.
“Oh, look! She’s stopping traffic! That’s fantastic!” a woman in the crowd exclaimed as she cheered.
The driver moved along when she was approached by an officer on a motorcycle.
Premier John Horgan and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the new measures on Aug. 30, citing statistics that show 90 per cent of new coronavirus cases are in people who haven’t been fully vaccinated.
The vaccine card comes into effect with one dose being required for entry into many non-essential businesses – including indoor ticketed events, bars, restaurants and fitness centres – as of Sept. 13. As of Oct. 24, patrons will be required to be fully vaccinated.
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A large protest took place along Marshall Road in front of Abbotsford Regional Hospital on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 1) in response to COVID-19 health measures. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
A large protest took place along Marshall Road in front of Abbotsford Regional Hospital on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 1) in response to COVID-19 health measures. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
A large protest took place along Marshall Road in front of Abbotsford Regional Hospital on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 1) in response to COVID-19 health measures. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
A large protest took place along Marshall Road in front of Abbotsford Regional Hospital on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 1) in response to COVID-19 health measures. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
An officer speaks to a driver who stopped her vehicle in traffic during a protest outside Abbotsford Regional Hospital on Wednesday afternoon. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
