Lyonel Doherty

Times-Chronicle

Local leaders are “appalled” and “disgusted” over a protest that occurred at Southern Okanagan Secondary School on Friday.

Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen was taken aback by what he saw in a video showing a female, anti-mask protester berating students as they left the school.

“This type of bullying and racist attack on students is totally unacceptable,” he said. “I was, however, impressed to see the students standing up for themselves and applaud their tenacity in defending themselves.”

The video shows the woman screaming and yelling at students who were wearing masks.

“As a resident of Oliver and a father of an SOSS student I have a lot of concerns and questions,” Johansen said, noting he has discussed the matter with Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth and town council.

“We will be looking for feedback on how we can support the effort to keep students safe from this type of aggressive protester behaviour,” the mayor said.

Wrigglesworth told the Times-Chronicle that a constable did attend SOSS on Friday when some “freedom” people were apparently there supporting students that were planning a walkout (protest) against the vaccine mandates.

“They were told to stay off school grounds and they did, and things appeared calm.”

Wrigglesworth said the second incident with the video must have occurred after the constable left the scene. “It was not reported to us that day.”

The commander said the Oliver RCMP received no calls from school administrators, teachers or students and that police only became aware of this incident the following day.

“Bottom line is that there are adults in our community with their own agenda and on the surface it is very unsettling and appears to have crossed a number of lines.”

Wrigglesworth said it is disconcerting that these adults would think that their actions and viewpoints should be pressed upon children.

“If criminal charges are warranted then that avenue will be pursued. The safety of children at school is very important and a place of learning appears to have been violated.”

School principal Tracy Harrington told the Times-Chronicle that administration was not aware that students were planning their own protest.

In a letter to parents, she said they were also not aware that a “freedom convoy” was going to assemble in front of the school. She noted that a similar situation took place at Osoyoos Secondary School.

Harrington said protesters are required to stay off school grounds under the Access to Services (COVID-19) Act.

She noted that school administrators were present during the incident to de-escalate the confrontation and move students away from it. She added the number one priority was the safety of the students by ensuring they did not engage with the protesters.

Harrington said it was unfortunate that the protesters chose to assemble at the school and that a few were “aggressive.”

The principal said they sincerely hope that no further demonstrations occur at the school, but if they do, police will be involved.

Harrington said administrators will review what happened with students and remind them to avoid protesters and not engage. She also encouraged parents to talk to their children about the incident and seek additional support if needed.

Local parent and Oliver town councillor Aimee Grice said she was “furious” about what happened at the school.

“I’m struggling to figure out what I can do about it – it’s beyond inexcusable.” 

Grice said she has tried very hard to remain diplomatic and see both sides of the issue. 

“I wholeheartedly believe in the power of grassroots movements and our right to protest. That being said, there is a time and a place, and a school is not the place.”

Grice said when she arrived at the school, she observed students facing off against adults amidst a lot of anger. 

“It could have gone bad. Why even introduce this risk at our school? I don’t know who the organizers of our local movement are, but I surely hope a lesson was learned and that our schools are off limits from now on.”

Grice said this movement has unfortunately attracted some undesirable outliers.

“What I find truly upsetting is the apathy of the other protesters. There were long-time members of our community standing by while this woman screamed racist expletives at our students. If your child was the one being screamed at, would you still stand back and smirk?”

Grice said she was incredibly proud of the students who were involved, noting their grace and fortitude in the face of adversity is truly admirable. “We have some great future leaders in our midst.” 

Rob Zandee, chair of School District No. 53, said the board does not condone protests that target children and youth.

“Schools are inclusive places and children should not be subjected to verbal abuse or altercations.”

Zandee said everyone has a right to protest, but interfering with students trying to leave for their weekend is unacceptable.

He noted that school officials will be speaking to students about what they can do if they feel anxious or unsafe during these times.

Mindy Ward, chair of the high school’s Parent Advisory Council, said the administration team was prompt in sending out a notice over the weekend to all the parents informing them what happened and how it was dealt with. “The school will do anything to ensure the safety of our children – that is their number one priority.

Local parent Brenda Miranda was shocked, angered and disgusted about what happened.

” I couldn’t believe that these adults fighting  for “freedom” would even consider purposely parking in front of a school. I couldn’t understand how multiple adults had the audacity to plan to convoy not one, but two schools. At this point are they even sane?”

Within minutes of her son telling her that there were adults yelling and making racist comments, she got in her car and headed for the school.

“No way I was going to sit back in ignorance and let these people attack children.” But by the time she arrived, the protesters had left.

According to Miranda, some of the students reportedly had personal encounters with the protesters. One report alleges that a convoy truck followed a group of students.

“As a parent I will not stand back and continue to let people support a convoy that no longer stands for its purpose. My children shouldn’t have witnessed that.”

Miranda said her son left the school as fast as he could because he didn’t want to be seen by the aggressive protesters.

“What mature adult gets in a kid’s face like that and continues to call them names such as ‘c*nt’? And furthermore, I see so many people turn a blind eye and it saddens me that our children in the present time don’t matter as much to some.”

In Osoyoos, Mayor Sue McKortoff said she was “horrified” to see that type of conflict at the school where students should be able to learn and feel safe.

Scott Tremblay, principal of Osoyoos Secondary School, confirmed there were protesters at his school last Friday.

“They did their thing and left school property at 2:50 p.m. Staff and students did not engage with them.”

Local police were called and stayed at the school until the protesters left.

“Fortunately, the situation did not become volatile,” Tremblay said.