A mother of two young 颅children says she has filed a police complaint after being verbally abused by anti-mask protesters last weekend.
Leanna Hill was waiting in line for her bread purchase with her two sons, ages six and eight, on the sidewalk 颅outside Crust Bakery on Fort Street last 颅Saturday 颅afternoon when a group protesting 颅mask-wearing passed by waving placards.
Hill said about five members of the group, which numbered about 25 individuals, seemed to single her out, as she was the only person in the lineup with children.
鈥淭hey said hurtful insults like: 鈥榊ou are a terrible mother鈥� and 鈥楾ake the masks off your children,鈥� 鈥� said Hill, 38.
鈥淚 was up against the wall and there was nowhere to run. The abuse didn鈥檛 last long, but it felt like an eternity.鈥�
Staff at Crust Bakery 颅ushered her inside as the group 颅continued down the street.
Hill was shaken by the 颅incident, but says she was more concerned for her children.
鈥淢y youngest, who is six years old, expressed worry that the mob knew who he was and would return to harm him,鈥� said Hill, who has lived in the city for a dozen years.
鈥淲hile I believe that it is everybody鈥檚 democratic right to protest, there is no place for thuggery.鈥�
She said she has filed a complaint with the Victoria Police Department.
Bowen Osoko, spokesman for the VicPD, said complaints about anti-mask protest gatherings have been steady.
Though there might not be a police presence at every event, police are often aware that they are taking place, he said.
Osoko encouraged people to report concerns, as Hill did.
鈥淚f we receive a series of complaints from individuals about an event, it gives us more reasons to address resources to it,鈥� said Osoko.
Anyone experiencing a threat of violence or concerned for their safety should call 911, he said.