Victoria, BC – Traffic disruptions are expected to take place during an anticipated protest on the Johnson Street Bridge at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 3, 2018.
Patrol, Operational Planning, Community Engagement and Community Services Division officers and staff are all working with the group planning the protest to help minimize the impact to those making their way home during the evening commute that day. The right to safe, peaceful and lawful protest is protected by law. However, officers have reminded participants that blocking a highway as part of a protest is unlawful.
The protest group has notified us that they plan to assemble in Centennial Square and then begin a brief march west down Pandora Avenue to the Johnson Street Bridge. Upon arriving on the Johnson Street Bridge, they plan to occupy it for a short period of time – roughly equivalent to one complete opening and closing cycle. While our officers will not be closing the Bridge to facilitate the protestors’ actions, they will be required to ensure the safety of participants and the public should the anticipated event occur.
Our officers are working with the City of Victoria, BC Transit and other partners to ensure the public is well-informed in advance of any potential disruptions due to the protest actions. We will be updating during the events through our Twitter account using the #yyjtraffic hashtag.
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