The Salmon Arm-based organizer of a weekend protest against the current COVID-19 public health measures has been fined $2,300.

Salmon Arm RCMP say there were monitoring the 75 person protest at Blackburn Park and educating people who were not following the measures that were put in place by Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, noting some people were not socially distanced or wearing masks.

“Officers used their discretion in dealing with members of the crowd and informed people that this type of gathering was prohibited under the current public health order that is in place to combat the spread of COVID-19,” Sgt. Scott West said, in a statement.

“In interactions with police it became evident that some people in the crowd were apparently unaware that the rules on gatherings prohibited a gathering that was this large,” West added, noting officers had a ‘number of respectful and informative interactions with some of the people who were at the park.

“After speaking with the police at the scene some left the area and there were no tickets served to the persons who attended the event.”

When the organizer approached police, West says he was ‘less than engaging but still respectful’ when taking to police before being given a ticket under the COVID Measures Act for organizing the event.

There was also another gathering at Salmon Arm City Hall, but West says between the two gatherings, there was only the one fine issued.