Women's Health Clinic executive director says clients, staff harassed by protesters

Those protesting COVID-19 restrictions at the Manitoba legislature say they are doing so peacefully, but the executive director of theWomen's Health Clinic vehemently disagrees.

Kemlin Nembhardsays she issimply asking for protesters to show humanity, after reportsclinic clients and staff members have beenyelled at and harassed by protesters, along with convoy vehicles displaying offensive signs andthe"incessant honking" at the protest.

"We serve a lot of clients who are the most marginalized, and as a woman of colour, that makes me feel unsafe and I have agency. I can only imagine what that makes somebody who has less agency feel like," Nembhard said.

Many of the women the clinic helps have difficulty accessing care, she told reporters Tuesday outside of the clinic, located on Graham Avenuebetween Vaughan Street and Kennedy Street in Winnipeg's downtown, just blocks away from the legislature grounds.

There have also beensymbols and images of hate displayed by protesters in Manitoba and elsewhere another barrier for the clinic's clients, Nembhard added.

"If you are scared because you are seeing symbols of hate flying all around you... what does that say to your safety and what does that say in terms of being able to get access to the services that you need?It's just unacceptable," she said.

Clients who have had difficulty navigating downtown as a result of the convoy blocking off stretches ofstreets have told the clinic that protesters have hurled offensive languageat them, regardless of whether or not they were wearing masks.

Despite those issues, Nembhard said she isn't aware of any clinic appointments that have been cancelled.

Pointing out that some anti-vaccine protesters havesigns with messages such as "my body, my choice," Nembhard said she would askthemto respect the choices of her clients and staff.

"People have a choice to get vaccinated or not. You have a choice to wear a mask or not. You just need to take the responsibility for your actions," she said.

As a feminist agency, Nembhardsays the clinic isin favour of the right to protest aslong as it is done peacefully.

"But this is not a protest. This is an occupation and it's an illegal occupation," she said.

"It's not peaceful when you are harassing people. It's not peaceful if people feel unsafe."

Nembhardcalled the actions of the protesters"clearly illegal," and said she believes it's time forgovernment to step in.

"It's time for the premier, as well as Mayor Bowman, to actually do something about it, like the rest of us are being held hostage by this really vocal minority," she said.

Protesters content to stay put

Devon Ross has been among the protesters outside the legislature since the anti-restrictions convoy rolled into Winnipeg on Friday morning.

Ross told CBC News he feels bad for local residents and businesses, but says the group he has aligned himself with has been shunned repeatedly.

"There's people that are getting shunned for not being able to do what they believe in, and that's not fair to them," Ross said.

"If they want to stand up for what they think is right and it's causing them an inconvenience for a few weeks, then so be it."

If the protest persists, Ross said he's prepared to bring a tent, propane heater and generator and start camping out until the protesters' demands are met.

Raymond Garand, whoalso arrived Friday to protest,said the public needs to be patient.

"I'm sure that they can put up with a little bit of noise for a little while. There's fire trucks and ambulances going around that make as much noise as we do every day," he said.

"People, be patient with us. We are trying to make a difference, that's all we're doing."

Downtown open: BIZ

With protesters taking over part of thearea, the communications directorwith the DowntownWinnipeg Business Improvement Zone said some businesses are struggling due to a lack of customers.

Pam Hardman said the biggest concerns she is hearing from businesses are related to noise levels and potential accessibility.

She noted one business's revenue is down about 30 per cent since the protests started, but Hardman wants people to be aware that the downtown core is open.

"We know that businesses downtown are impacted because there is a perception not to come downtown right now," Hardman said.

"But that's not really necessary because it's open and it's accessible and it's still easy to get here on foot or by car or by bus, and there is parking and accessibility downtown."

Winnipeg Mayor calls special meeting to respond to convoy protest

3 years ago

Duration 2:22

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman plans to call a special meeting of city council in response to the ongoing convoy protest against COVID-19 restrictions that has clogged downtown streets and disrupted life for residents for the last five days.