Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
A female protester who verbally assaulted students at SOSS on Feb. 11 is facing a $2,300 fine under the Access to Services (COVID-19) Act.
Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth said the violation ticket against the woman has not been issued yet.
While the CBC has published her name as Silke Schulze, Wrigglesworth said he has not confirmed the woman’s identity.
“I have not confirmed the identity of anyone (in this case),” the commander made it clear to the Times-Chronicle.
On Feb. 11 a student from SOSS filmed an agitated woman standing in front of the school berating fellow students for wearing masks. During the confrontation, the video appears to show the woman making racial comments towards the students, and at one point, she calls one of them a nasty expletive.
Superintendent of Schools Bev Young said it was dismissal time and not everyone was aware of the confrontation that apparently stemmed from a “freedom convoy” protest.
She noted that school administrators became aware of the situation and were on hand to assist.
“I can’t speculate as to exactly what teachers were doing but what is important is that the district, RCMP, school administration, and staff have been meeting and reviewing all aspects to reflect, work together and move forward.”
In a press release from the Town of Oliver, council stated that the protesters’ actions were misdirected.
“Schools are a place of learning and a place where students can feel safe and not be subjected to hateful, racist and aggressive comments.”
Council added that Oliver residents are doing their best to follow the mandates and orders placed by health officers in an effort to lessen the impact of the pandemic.
“Demanding change to mandates or orders by demonstrating at a high school, with an elementary school adjacent, served no purpose or benefit.”
The Town states that protests must be carried out in a peaceful and respectful manner.
The Access to Services (COVID-19) Act prohibits protests on or near school grounds, establishing a 20-metre (no-go) protection zone.
Anyone violating the Act can be subject to fines.
