A picture of a Nova Scotia RCMP officer sporting a “skinny blue line” patch whereas responding to a self-proclaimed “Freedom Fighters” occasion this weekend circulated on social media.
It was posted by Twitter person @Seebo429 on Saturday night time, amongst others on social media, with the caption studying: “RCMP testing the convoy cookout within the valley. What’s that patch on the officer’s chest? I don’t need to get my colors combined up once more.” The put up obtained almost 400 likes and over 100 retweets.
RCMP responded to the tweet on Sunday, saying, “The picture and knowledge has been despatched to the suitable unit for observe up as vital.”
In a Monday information launch, RCMP mentioned the picture was shared “with out the correct context.”
Within the launch, RCMP mentioned police had been referred to as for a noise grievance in Nictaux, positioned southeast of Middleton in Annapolis County, at round 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
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The grievance was made towards a house the place about 50 self-proclaimed “Freedom Fighters” gathered, in response to police, “with a transparent indication of alcohol being consumed.”
Police say there was a poster displayed on the finish of the driveway of the house, stating “Freedom Fighter PTSD Drive.”
Police mentioned within the launch that two officers arrived to the home and a big group of males informed them they weren’t welcome there.
“One of many RCMP officers spoke with a person who recognized himself because the president of the Freedom Fighters to clarify the noise by-law in Annapolis County,” learn the discharge.
“In the meantime, the second officer was working to keep up calm among the many group of occasion attendees that had approached the officers.”
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Police mentioned the music was turned down to handle the noise grievance.
“When the RCMP officers went to go away, one man acknowledged that police didn’t pay the $5 entry payment which was rapidly seconded by one other and adopted by people who had been surrounding the officers. To maintain the scenario subtle and keep away from the potential for violence, the entry payment was paid with the RCMP officer’s private funds,” the RCMP mentioned Monday.
“The RCMP is just not affiliated with the ‘Freedom Fighters’ group.”
The discharge additionally mentioned the group of males requested a photograph with the cops, and “in an effort to mitigate an escalation of the scenario,” the officers agreed to the picture. That’s the picture circulating on-line.
RCMP mentioned the officer sporting the skinny blue line patch has since eliminated it from his uniform, and “this has been addressed by his supervisor.”
The patch is supposed to represent solidarity amongst legislation enforcement, however critics say it’s controversial and divisive resulting from its affiliation with right-wing and white nationalist teams.
Within the launch, RCMP additionally mentioned “we wish to lengthen our appreciation to the person who recognized because the president and rapidly addressed the noise complaints.”
— With recordsdata from Alessia Simona Maratta.
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