229486
225768
Salmon Arm  

Anti-vaccine protesters enter schools in Salmon Arm, prompt hold and secure

Protesters enter schools

UPDATE: 4:42 p.m.

Students in Salmon Arm were locked inside on Friday after anti-vax protesters entered a number of schools, apparently opposed to vaccine clinics taking place inside.

A letter sent to School District 83 parents on Friday afternoon said protesters opposed to vaccinations and masks entered multiple schools, which prompted officials to place the buildings under hold and secure.

SD83 Supt. Donna Kriger said in the letter school doors will be locked on Monday to prevent any potential protesters from gaining access.

A parent of a child at Salmon Arm secondary who did not want his name published said he was shocked to receive the letter.

“I want my kids to be safe and the last thing I would ever expect is for any grown adults to try to enter a school full of minors — to complain or protest about anything,” he said.

“Like that's just not the place. … I’m all for peaceful protesting, but that’s not what these people are doing.”

The parent said the news was startling.

“It's just — it's shocking,” he said.

“I’m actually angry, I'm going to be perfectly honest with you.”

According to the email sent out by SD83, beginning Monday, doors to all schools will stay locked. The district said it will be working with the RCMP to ensure the protests are kept off all district property.

Interior Health is operating COVID-19 vaccination clinics in a number of area high schools, offering first and second shots to students and staff.

Castanet contacted SD83 for comment and was told no one would be made available until Monday.

Anti-vaccine activist Kyle Cardinal announced on Facebook that being trying to "get some answers" Friday at a school vaccine clinic. He later posted on Facebook that his group never entered any schools.


ORIGINAL STORY: 4:01 p.m.

Doors were locked Friday at a number of schools in Salmon Arm after anti-vaccine protesters entered the buildings, according to a letter sent to parents in the district.

A letter signed by School District 83 Supt. Donna Kriger said the incidents follow a number of recent protests at the district’s office opposing vaccines and masks.

“This morning, these protestors did something which was completely unacceptable which was choosing to enter schools in and around Salmon Arm,” the letter stated.

The schools were then placed on a hold and secure — meaning students were not allowed to come and go from the building for the rest of the day.

Kriger said SD83 schools will be locked when students return to class next week.

More to come …



More Salmon Arm News

225429