The convoy protest group that held a rally in Campbell River last weekend has plans to head to Nanaimo on Saturday.
The group, which opposes pandemic health measures, opted for gathering spots up-Island after police set up checkpoints on roads heading to the legislature precinct and James Bay in Victoria, where it had been holding regular weekend protests. Only local traffic was permitted in the legislature area, to reduce noise and disruption.
Ron Clark, who has emerged as a convoy spokesman, said on a Facebook video that the idea now is to have rallies at a variety of locations.
“We’re just trying to break it up, bring in all different parts of the Island, make it easy for people,” he said. “Gas is expensive so we’ll try to do things in each little town.”
He said he expects some bikers to join the Nanaimo rally.
The meeting place and time in Nanaimo haven’t been finalized, Clark said.
“We’re still working on that part and we’ll have that soon,” he said. “We’re going to get the convoys together from Victoria to Nanaimo, Campbell River down to Nanaimo, and do another big meet-and-greet.”
Clark, who is from Alberta, said he plans to head home after the weekend to recharge.
Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien said he has “no concerns whatsoever” about the convoy coming to the city.
Convoy participants gathering in Nanaimo to head to a Campbell River rally last weekend did not cause problems, he said.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog also said he doesn’t anticipate the upcoming event will be much to worry about.
“I frankly don’t expect we will see many people bother to come to Nanaimo.”
jbell@timescolonist.com
