SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Hundreds of Santa Barbara residents participated in a worldwide anti-mask and anti-vaccine rally near Stearns Wharf Saturday afternoon.
The rally started around 12 p.m. and is expected to last until 5 p.m.
Organizers said they are rallying "for freedom, peace, and human rights." They said they hope to unite people across the world against current COVID-19 restrictions including masks and vaccines.
The protest started near the canoes at the wharf and will march up and down State Street to spread its message.
Large anti-mask, anti-vaccination demonstration taking place now near Stearns Wharf. pic.twitter.com/ldFuT36EeT
— Blake DeVine (@bladevine) May 15, 2021
Participants were encouraged to bring flags and make signs. Even those who wanted to continue wearing a mask and social distance were invited.
They said they have grown frustrated with our government's response to the pandemic over the past year.
“Santa Barbara is a sleepy town. If you push the dog, it’s going to bite you, and it’s been a year the people have finally said enough,” said rally co-organizer Hesu Whitten.
“When the government forces people to do things, to wear masks, to lockdown their businesses, to lockdown schools, they’re taking their right to freedom of speech,” said rallygoer Caroline Abate.
This demonstration is just one location out of more than 180 across the world organized for the same day.
Sister rallies were advertised in Italy, Romania, Japan, Australia, Canada, France, Croatia, Germany and Mexico to name a few.
International rallygoers are uploading videos and pictures from the rallies in their home countries to a Telegram channel called @worldwidedemonstration. Pictures can also be found on Twitter under the hashtags #WorldWideRallyForFreedom, #WorldWideDemonstration and #WeWillAllBeThere.
This movement, having been scheduled for months, comes just days after the CDC announced that people who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 can go without masks both indoors and outdoors. Anyone who has not been vaccinated is still advised to wear a mask in most situations.
More information about these rallies can be found at worldwidedemonstration.com.
We will have more on this protest tonight on NewsChannel 3-12 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
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May 16, 2021 at 04:42AM
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