Anti-Public Health Order Protest

USPA NEWS - On Friday May 14th, 2021, the Government of Nova Scotia obtained a court injunction which would prevent illegal gatherings that would be in defiance of the provincial public health orders.

The injunction issued by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, which takes effect immediately, will force the cancelation of the well publicized Freedom Nova Scotia anti-mask/anti-public order that was scheduled for May 15th on Citidal Hill.

At the Friday May 14th media briefing  Premier Iain Rankin said, "Nova Scotia is in a state of emergency. People have lost their lives. Our collective responsibility is to keep everyone safe. All Nova Scotians must respect the public health orders and directives. This is particularly important as the province and our health-care employees work around the clock to care for people in this third wave of the pandemic. I am personally all for freedom of speech, but will not allow the select few to jeopardize our ability to crush this third wave. People have a right to share their views but while we're in a province wide lockdown, in the middle of a third wave, it is incumbent for all of us to protect each other by following public health protocols. The court order provides "extra teeth" and gives police more authority to take action, including arresting those who violate the order."

Dr. Robert Strang Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health said, "Masking, physical distancing and the other public health measures are essential to reducing the risk of COVID-19, especially with the variants we are seeing in Nova Scotia. With almost 100 people in hospital, we all have a responsibility to our fellow Nova Scotians to keep them safe and stop that number from getting higher."

In a statement found on the Freedom Nova Scotia  Facebook page states that the May 15th, 2021 demonstration has been "cancelled under duress." It asks  their followers to "form their own opinions and choose the actions they want to take for themselves."

The Halifax Regional Police  has issued a formal public statement indicating that they will “use all measures at our disposal“ and a warning that anyone not physically distancing or “˜out of their county´ will be fined or at risk of being fined. With the new injunction this will also expand their powers to make arrests on such matters. The Supreme Court injunction will be in effect until Nova Scotia's state of emergency concludes.

UPDATE FROM HALIFAX POLICE, MAY 15TH: HRP Chief Dan Kinsella said in an initial news release Saturday afternoon, “Despite repeat warnings, there are individuals who are still choosing to bend the rules and take risks. Today´s events in Halifax have once again demonstrated that disregard. People must educate themselves on the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ones in the court injunction issued on Friday. The current risks are much too great, and we will continue to take all measures at our disposal to protect the public.“ Refer to attached document which contains an updated statement from late Saturday afternoon.