You may have trouble getting to the QEII in Halifax on Monday.
The group “Canadian Frontline Nurses” is organizing an anti-vaxx protest in opposition of mandatory vaccinations for health care workers along with government measures related to the pandemic.
They’re calling it a “silent vigil” to honour those impacted by COVID-19 measures in a message posted to their website:
“Our cries and concerns have been ignored for too long. Please join us in creating a memorial tribute, by bringing flowers, pictures, cards, letters to share stories in honour of those affected. Share your loss and grieving, to bring out the truth on what is happening across Canada and why we are taking a stand to tyrannical measures and government overreach.”
The group claims to represent the nurses of Canada but were recently condemned by the Canadian Nurses Association. They are a group led by fired nurses and a represent a small minority of healthcare workers in Canada. They have been spreading dangerous misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines.
Meantime, medical officials say they respect freedom of speech but hospitals aren’t the place for protests.
ICU physician Dr. Michael Warner says the protesters should pick a different spot and leave hospitals, patients, and staff out of it.
“Hospitals are sacred places of healing. It’s where people go for safety, for protection, for treatment, for love, for peace, and sometimes for death,” Warner says. “They’re not the place to be yelling and screaming and intimidating.”
Hospitals are not the place for anti-vaccination protests. pic.twitter.com/ymeYiustTH
— Michael Warner (@drmwarner) September 11, 2021
Warner adds hospital staff have been saving the lives of those hit hard by COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.
“People on the other sides of the doors of those hospitals are suffering from the disease that certain people refuse to get vaccinated for,” Warner explains. “And the people caring for those individuals who are sick, and the people that are being yelled at as they cross the street, are the same health care workers that will save your life if you get sick because that’s our job.”
Warner says you should reach out to your elected officials if you have something to say or find alternate ways of expressing your thoughts that are away from hospitals.
The events will be held across the country on Monday.
(CREDIT: Canadian Frontline Nurses)
**With files from Skye Bryden-Blom….
