Richmound mayor speaks ahead of rally to force self-proclaimed 'queen of Canada' and supporters out
At a press conference on Saturday, Village of Richmound Mayor Brad Miller, along with other leaders from southwest Saskatchewan, spoke about the safety concerns regarding the self-proclaimed “queen of Canada” and her followers.
"We're standing together as one, and our focus is to move her out of Richmound," Miller said during his opening remarks.
Romana Didulo and her supporters have been staying on a private property that was formerly a school in Richmound since they were forced out of the town of Kamsack on Sept. 13.
The U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League describes Didulo as a “Canadian QAnon figure” who has called for “violent action” against those who help administer COVID-19 vaccines to kids.
Richmound and area residents have said they are uncomfortable with the cult-like group staying in the village of just over 100 people.
Leader Mayor Aaron Wenzel and Fox Valley Mayor Sean Checkley were in attendance at the press conference to show their support.
“It’s been a difficult few weeks and this could have been just as easily Leader or Fox Valley or any community in the area so we wanted to be here,” Wenzel said.
Checkley said the communities work closely together, and said the Village of Fox Valley shares in Richmound’s concerns.
“Fox Valley is the home to the Richmound students … the children shouldn’t have to be worried about those types of things, so the community is one and works together and needs to support each other,” he said.
“It’s not just a Richmound issue.”
Miller said some people in the community have received cease and desist letters by email, and have also seen Didulo's supporters going around with their cameras and taking pictures.
When asked if those letters contained a threat of execution, Miller said "yes."
Miller said he has seen about 15 members in the area and has seen Didulo once before.
"She will not come out and speak to me, so to me, she's not a leader, she's hiding behind closed doors," he said.
The sign to the school was torn down and replaced with one by Didulo's followers.
Miller said it's "terrible" to see a major part of his town taken over.
"It's a new low for myself and for the community and everybody else that's in this area, it hits home," he said. "We just want her out, we want our health and safety back, we want the love of our community to go back where it was."
"It takes time."
Miller said one of his main concerns is the children in the community.
"We're here about our kids," he said. "They're scared when they go to Fox Valley and when they get off the bus, are they safe?"
Miller said the mayors and town council made a decision to shut down the playground for safety.
A rally coordinated by concerned Richmound citizens was scheduled to take place following the press conference. Miller said he expected a few hundred people to take part.
The rally and peaceful protest is expected to last over the weekend and Miller said he hopes the outcome is positive.
"We've just got to keep finding ins and outs and how we can do it legally to move her on," he said.
The village is located north of Maple Creek about 450 kilometres west of Regina near the Alberta Border.
With files from Rory MacLean.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.