Chris Scott, owner of the Whistle Stop Cafe speaks during a rally against measures taken by government and health authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 at his cafe. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

By Troy Gillard

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RCMP investigating possible threat toward officers at Whistle Stop Cafe protest

May 13, 2021 | 12:40 PM

Alberta RCMP say they are looking into the credibility of a potential threat toward officers who attended last weekend’s anti-lockdown rally at the Whistle Stop Café in Mirror.

Mounties said in a release Thursday morning they had learned of images circulating on social media purportedly showing RCMP vehicles and members at the rally in the crosshairs of a rifle scope.

“These images are still being investigated to determine if they were a credible threat to members or an act to intimidate members on scene,” Alberta RCMP Constable Chantelle Kelly says in the release.

Anyone who may have information is asked to call the Alberta RCMP’s Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit at 780-890-2645, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), visit www.P3Tips.com or use the “P3 Tips” mobile.

Meanwhile the lawyers representing Chris Scott, owner of the Whistle Stop Café and organizer of last weekend’s event attended by hundreds, and Glen Carritt were in court Thursday morning.

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Scott was arrested last Saturday afternoon at the rally and charged with violating the province’s Public Health Act by organizing an illegal gathering. A post on the café’s Facebook page indicated he was released from custody on Tuesday.

Scott and Carritt are challenging the Court of Queen’s Bench order issued last week that makes it illegal to organize and stage anti-lockdown protests.

The order identified Scott’s event in Mirror as being in violation of the province’s requirements on masking, attendance limits and physical distancing. Four people who attended the rally were ticketed, RCMP announced Wednesday.

Carritt, the former Innisfail town councillor and current mayoral candidate who is also a vocal opponent of Alberta’s COVID-19 public health measures, was planning an event this Saturday in Innisfail before cancelling.

The court matter was adjourned Thursday morning. No new court date was announced.

(With file from Sheldon Spackman)