WINNIPEG Dozens of people gathered in front of Steinbach s city hall Saturday afternoon for a Hugs Over Masks rally against current provincial health orders. We re here to mainly focus on solutions that are not part of the mainstream narrative, said Sharon, a representative for Hugs Over Masks and Freedom to All. She noted the gathering is not a protest but an educational rally to inspire people. Hugs Over Masks is about connections to people, we welcome anyone and everyone with medical choice in the forefront. The rally comes after Friday comments from Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk on why out of town organizers needed to return to the city following a previous rally in November 2020.
Steinbach protest calls for end to code-red restrictions
Minister says call for fervent prayer right response to COVID-19 By: Cody Sellar
Last Modified: 10:52 PM CST Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 | Updates
A protester holds a sign that reads “end the lockdown” at a protest organized by the group Hugs Over Masks outside city hall in Steinbach, Saturday afternoon. (Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press)
Dozens of people gathered in front of Steinbach’s city hall Saturday afternoon to protest code-red restrictions. The group known as Hugs Over Masks set up loudspeakers on the steps and had signs with messages that included “Faith is Essential,” “The Media is the Virus” and “Lockdown is About Control.”
Rally decries pandemic restrictions from steps of city hall By: Jordan Ross
People fed up with Manitoba’s coronavirus restrictions gathered outside Steinbach City Hall Saturday for a two-hour rally that began with upbeat music and ended with fines.
People fed up with Manitoba’s coronavirus restrictions gathered outside Steinbach City Hall Saturday for a two-hour rally that began with upbeat music and ended with fines.
The event, organized online, was the second Hugs Over Masks protest held in Steinbach in the past two months.
GREG VANDERMEULEN
An organizer who only identified herself as Sharon said the event was planned to to protest government restrictions and the loss of civil liberties during the pandemic.
Supporters of the Hugs Over Masks campaign in Steinbach.
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Streets were blocked off around Steinbach’s city hall Saturday afternoon for a protest planned by the Hugs Over Masks organization.
RCMP say they issued ten tickets for Saturday s event and two for previous events. Two attendees were ticketed as they were leaving partway through the protest while the other fines were handed out by police and enforcement officers after the speeches ended just after 4 p.m.
RCMP expect to deliver more fines as they continue to identify people from the event.
Much of the crowd that gathered at 225 Reimer Ave. hung back on the street rather than gathering near City Hall. The crowd size ranged from approximately 50 to 100 participants at its peak.
As protesters from the group Hugs Over Masks gathered on Saturday, Steinbach’s mayor begged them to stop, saying they’re jeopardizing the Manitoba city’s chances of reopening businesses.