Hundreds Protest Restrictions And Vaccine Mandates In Fredericton

FREDERICTON – A few hundred people rallied in downtown Fredericton Saturday, the second of protests against vaccine mandates and restrictions related to government efforts to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jeff Tomah left his home on Woodstock First Nations to join the protests starting Friday afternoon. Cars beeped horns and protestors carried signs in opposition to restrictions and mandatory vaccines but he said the crowd was peaceful and there was no blockade.

After three years of mandates and restrictions, Tomah said it is time to move on.

“We’ve been well educated, and there’s been an awful agenda for division and hate,” said Tomah. “If the politicians can’t move beyond that, then maybe it’s time for a change.”

He would like to see the government drop all mandates immediately. He wants the government to stop forcing people to get vaccinated, which he says has created divisions among families.

“Moving forward, it should all be about love, respect and peace for each other,” he said.

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Jeff was joined by his wife, son, and grandchildren at the convoy Saturday afternoon. Charlene Tomah protested in Ottowa in 2019. In the years since she was upset that her grandchildren were required to wear masks in school.

“Now they’re out of school because we just had enough, we just can’t do it anymore,” said Charlene.

Connie Steeves slept overnight in a car to attend the protests Friday and Saturday. Steeves was sitting in lawn chairs with a friend wearing red face paint, a red hat and holding Canadian flags. They said the convoy organized a BBQ and snacks for attendees Friday night.

After she refused to get vaccinated she was evicted from the care home she was living in.

“They said that I was putting other people at risk,” said Steeves. “I no longer have a home as of right now.”

Steeves is legally blind and diabetic but felt that her disabilities did not stop the government from leaving her without a home.

Jasmine Comeau is a 17-year-old from Miramichi who was required to get vaccinated to attend her last year of high school.

“I’m here at the convoy to support the truckers and fight for my freedom,” she said.

Comeau’s mother, Diane Siemens, said that after her daughter’s second dose in September the vaccine attacked her nervous system. She says doctors and a neurologist said it was caused by the vaccine and she has paperwork at home.

Comeau has been using a wheelchair since October.

“Now I’m unable to walk,” said Comeau. “I found out last week, I won’t be able to graduate, because I missed so many assignments and schoolwork, because I was always in the hospital, always sick and in pain.”

Comeau was one of the public speakers at the convoy yesterday. She wants other people to have the courage to speak out about their stories. Comeau received support from the crowd, many people came up to hug her after she spoke.

Siemens said that they are okay with wearing masks, but she doesn’t want the government to hide problems resulting from the vaccine.

“We’re not against the vaccine,” said Diane. “There should be a choice.”

In a statement released Saturday morning, Fredericton Police spokesperson Alycia Bartlett noted there was an ongoing and respectful dialogue with organizers who have agreed to ensure a peaceful and lawful event and remain inside the safe zone.

Late Saturday afternoon, police expanded the road closures downtown with no vehicle traffic on Queen Street from the Cenotaph to Regent Street or St. John Street between King and Queen.

Rachel Smith is a reporter and student at St. Thomas University in Fredericton.