Law banning disruptive protests near B.C. schools now in effect – BC [Video]

A new B.C. law banning protests near primary and secondary schools is now in effect, the Ministry of Education said Friday.

B.C. passed the Safe Schools Act earlier this month, which sets 20-metre (66-foot) “no-go zones” for protesters around schools.

Under the law, police can arrest or ticket anyone found blocking access, disrupting or interfering with school activities or trying to intimidate people within the access zone.

The zones are in effect from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and during extracurricular school activities at all public and private schools in the province.

“Every kid and teacher in our province has the right to go to school without being disrupted by aggressive or hateful protests,” Premier David Eby said in a statement.

“I want people who think it’s OK to intimidate or harass kids while they’re trying to learn or play at school to know that what you’re doing is now illegal.”

The legislation came in the …