A Nanaimo store found itself in the crosshairs of the anti-vaccine movement when a protest was staged at the store last night.

The incident at Canadian Tire on Monday, Nov. 1, involved more than 150 people, not wearing masks, who entered the store shortly after 6 p.m. causing staff to vacate for safety reasons.

B次元官网网址淲e responded to a report of an anti-vaxxer protest at Canadian Tire involving somewhere between 150 to 200 people,B次元官网网址� said Const. Gary OB次元官网网址橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. B次元官网网址淭hey all entered the store at the same time B次元官网网址� it was a co-ordinated protest led by one person. TheyB次元官网网址檙e doing roving protests throughout the province.B次元官网网址�

About 15 to 20 RCMP officers arrived at the scene.

OB次元官网网址橞rien said the unmasked protesters were hoping to make a statement, but when they tried to ring products through the checkouts, store staff refused to serve them. The store manager, concerned for his employeesB次元官网网址� safety, directed the majority of staff to leave the store.

B次元官网网址淲e identified who was leading the protest. We had dialogue with them. They made their point and they left shortly thereafter, about 30 minutes or so,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橞rien said. B次元官网网址淣o arrests were made and no charges pending.B次元官网网址�

Police accompanied the protesters into the store. OB次元官网网址橞rien said given the number of people at the scene it was best to let them in and let them carry our their protest and leave.

B次元官网网址淭hey were very organized, very motivated,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橞rien said. B次元官网网址淭hey achieved their goal of disrupting the store and thatB次元官网网址檚 what they did B次元官网网址� They were non-violent and nothing was stolen,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橞rien said.

photos@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on and follow us on