In answer to media queries about the Regina Police Service’s approach to planned protests to coincide with the Premier’s Dinner this evening in Regina, we offer the assurance that police are there to protect the rights of all involved.
- Anyone may exercise his or her right to peaceful assembly and expression of opinion. We recognize that there are Saskatchewan citizens who are still very emotional about the recent provincial budget and they have a message they want to convey to elected leaders. We will uphold their rights to peaceful protest.
- We also uphold the rights of attendees to the Premier’s Dinner, Mosaic, and any other events at Evraz Place, to freely attend those events.
- Our role is to prevent any breach of the peace. To that end, we will have a police presence at Evraz place this evening and we strongly encourage – and expect – people to be respectful of each other’s rights. Protestors are free to protest and attendees are free to attend their chosen events.
- We have been in touch with the management of Evraz Place and the organizers of this evening’s protest to establish dialogue, assure them of our role, and the community’s expectations.
As with any other event, we have a plan. The ultimate goal is to ensure public safety and protect the rights of all involved. Our plan for events at Evraz Place does include extra resources and assessing risk up to the events and into the evening. Like other good plans, it has the flexibility to allow us to adjust resources as required.
