B.C. woman fined $2,300 at school protest that went viral, apologizes for comments

In an email to Global News, RCMP said the woman was fined $2,300 under B.C.’s Access to Services (COVID-19) Act.

A B.C. woman has been fined $2,300 for violating a provincial COVID-19 act after a viral video captured her heated confrontation about health restrictions in B.C.’s Southern Interior.

The incident in front of South Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver on Feb. 11, which featured an adult woman arguing and swearing with teens about COVID-19 restrictions, had racial undertones, according to students who spoke to Global News.

“(The woman) was pointing at us and telling us to go home,” said one student, who is of South Asian descent. “In the video, you can hear her say, ‘I deserve to be in this country. Do you?’”

The student said the woman’s comment implied “that we don’t belong in this country because of the colour of our skin.”

In an email to Global News on Friday, RCMP said the woman was fined $2,300 under the Access to Services (COVID-19) Act.

Charges were expected, with Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth saying earlier in the week that “the actions of these protestors are unacceptable. The safety of children at school is very important and a place of learning appears to have been violated.”

Wrigglesworth added, “I have spoken with the family of the young lady involved and will continue to liaise with her and her family. The offending adult female has been identified and charges are forthcoming.”

The woman has been identified as Silke Schulze, and, according to an Okanagan newspaper, she issued an apology this week.