Unmasked shoppers protest at Polo Park

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This article was published 11/02/2022 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Security guards stationed themselves at every entrance of Manitoba’s largest mall Saturday in preparation for the arrival of anti-mask protesters.

Shortly after noon, small groups of unmasked shoppers walked through various doors of CF Polo Park.

The overwhelming majority of visitors to the mall followed public health protocols, but approximately 50 people were walking around without face coverings within half an hour of the first protesters arriving on site.

Despite the province’s plans to rollback mask requirements in the coming weeks, individuals showed up to express their opposition to mandates under the “Mega Maskless Manitoba” banner.

“I have never worn a mask. It’s a muzzle. It’s a psychological manipulation. It’s not a crime to breathe freely,” said Dee Black, who lingered by the food court without a mask.

Upon being approached by a reporter, some protesters expressed distaste for media outlets and spouted both conspiracy theories and misinformation.

Leading up to the event, organizers took to social media to encourage participants to wear “any trucker or Canadiana clothing.”

A handful of people sported black toques with the Monstrosity Burger logo on them. The restaurant has openly flouted public health orders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mall management indicated earlier this week they were preparing additional security measures for Saturday. Winnipeg police also dispatched officers to the mall to monitor the situation.

One security guard said he and his colleagues’ goal was to maintain peace at the mall throughout the day. He indicated all they can do is inform unmasked people of the current public health rules.

Every guard stationed at an entrance each had a supply of medical disposable masks on them to offer people who arrived without face coverings.

Pierto Espacito, a hairstylist who has worked in the mall for 50 years, said he didn’t understand Saturday why people are protesting against a mandate that is going to be repealed next month.

“Some people have nothing better to do,” he said, under a medical mask.

Espacito added it is stressful to have to turn unmasked people away as a frontline service worker: “Nobody wants to argue with customers.”

Since late September 2020, face coverings have been required in malls and all other indoor facilities in Manitoba to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 via aerosols.

The mandate was lifted for a total of three weeks at the end of the summer. It was reintroduced before the 2021-22 school year got underway to both address a rising caseload and protect the healthcare system from being overwhelmed during the fourth wave.

On Friday, Premier Heather Stefanson announced that mask requirements and remaining public health orders will disappear, as of March 15.

“We need to end the divisiveness between families, between communities, we need to move forward,” Stefanson told reporters. “It’s time to bring Manitobans back together again.”

Meanwhile, earlier in the day RCMP said the semi-trailers, farm implements, and passenger vehicles that are prohibiting access to the Emerson border on Feb. 10 remain in place.

Emerson and Morris RCMP detachments are on scene as all four lanes of Highway 75 at Provincial Road 200 are blocked. Police are advising travelers to expect substantial delays in the area and to avoid it, if possible.

It’s estimated around 50 vehicles are participating in the blockade. No tickets have been issued and no arrests have been made.

Authorities also reported multiple active convoy protests Saturday, including a slow-roll on the Perimeter Highway, one on Hwy. 3 near the Boundary Trails Health Centre, and a third that launched at Deacon’s Corner.

RCMP did not report any incidents related to the protests as of Saturday afternoon.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie