Protesters at Alberta Legislature calling for end to COVID-19 restrictions

EDMONTON – A large group of protesters gathered at the Alberta Legislature Monday afternoon calling for the government to cancel current COVID-19 restrictions.

The crowd chanted “freedom” and when the province’s top doctor, Dr. Deena Hinshaw came up, protestors chanted “lock her up”.

When it comes to #COVID19 vaccines? Crowd chants ‘just say no!’ pic.twitter.com/Y2lj2dN3ZL

— Rachelle Elsiufi (@Rachelleelsiufi) April 12, 2021

Those in attendance were also vocal about avoiding vaccines as the province makes a push to get halfway to herd immunity by the end of May.

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Protesters shouted a “fake news” rhetoric at media attending the rally, consistent with what reporters have seen at many anti-mask and anti-lockdown rallies in Alberta in recent months.

Maxime Bernier was also in attendance and spoke to the crowd. he called himself “an Albertan from Quebec” and told the hordes of people their freedoms were under attack.

Maxime Bernier is now speaking. He refers to himself the Albertan from Quebec. Says our freedoms are under attack. #yeg #covid19ab pic.twitter.com/dLgYbt3QM8

— Rachelle Elsiufi (@Rachelleelsiufi) April 12, 2021

This follows weeks of anti-lockdown protests in Alberta and a violent rally in Montreal Sunday night protesting Quebec’s COVID-19 curfew.

-with files from Rachelle Elsiufi, CityNews Edmonton