Victoria police handed out “significant” tickets to two drivers who now face fines as well as penalty points after taking part in noisy downtown protests.
The incident began shortly after noon on Thursday when about 20 vehicles participated in a “honking” protest. They were next to the B.C. legislature using vehicle horns, modified air horns and amplified speakers mounted on vehicles.
During the protest they did what police called a “slow-roll blockade.”
The event was unlawful and affected residents and businesses around the legislature and in James Bay, police said.
A Victoria police traffic officer, backed by patrol officers, spoke to every driver taking part in the event. Each received a warning and a reminder that protests should be safe, peaceful and lawful.
The honking and disturbances stopped after each driver was spoken to. When all the vehicles left the area, police returned to their regular duties.
However, shortly afterward, the same traffic officer was in the 2500-block of Blanshard Street on an unrelated matter when he saw several of the vehicles from the protest around the legislature.
They were circling the block, honking and using amplified speakers to target a particular business, said police, who did not identify the business.
These were the same drivers who had been given warnings. The officer started pulling them over to hand out tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act. The disruptive activity soon stopped, police said.
Two drivers received tickets carrying fines and penalty points. Details were not released.
“VicPD supports safe, peaceful and lawful protest. Dangerous and/or unsafe activity will continue to be met with de-escalation and enforcement.”
Earlier this year, the legislature was the scene of frequent protests, often anti-vaccine and anti-government, which included trucks and cars honking as they circled the block. Police eventually set up barricades prohibiting vehicles from entering the area.
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