![\"More](\"https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/259058277-1219_news_covid_rally3-w.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288\")
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Police say eight people face fines over their roles in a demonstration on Saturday in downtown Saskatoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The people charged with violating public health orders were identified as \u201ckey participants\u201d in the Dec. 19 protest<\/a>\n which saw more than 100 people gather at Kiwanis Memorial Park to \nprotest mask wearing and other restrictions put in place to prevent the \nspread of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Four\n of them were not given the option to simply pay the $2,800 fine \nvoluntarily, police said in a media release on Wednesday. Rather, police\n said those four will be required to make court appearances to answer to\n the charges, a decision that was made after consultation with \nprosecutors and public health officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Saskatoon event was \nthe third weekend in a row in which a large public anti-mask protest has\n taken place in the province. Saskatoon police previously issued a \n$2,800 ticket under the Public Health Act to a \u201ckey participant\u201d in a \nDec. 5 protest in Saskatoon. Regina police issued two similar fines \nfollowing a rally in that city on Dec. 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Police said Wednesday\u2019s\n announcement brings the total number of tickets written in Saskatoon \nfor failing to comply with public health orders to 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A police spokeswoman said the four individuals required to come to court for their matters were scheduled to appear on March 23 in Saskatoon Traffic Court. 9 (Saskatoon Star Phoenix,<\/strong> December 24 , 2020)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Saskatoon police announce eight more tickets after Dec. 19 ‘freedom rally’ protest Police say they identified “key participants” in a demonstration in which more than 100 people gathered to protest public health measures. Police say eight people face fines over … Continue reading