POLICE – Masked group made ‘cowardly attempt to avoid accountability’
Statement from Superintendent Jeff Pelley in response to Sunday demonstration and intimidation tactics
On Sunday September 27, 2026, at approximately 7:25 a.m., frontline officers from the Tk’emlúps RCMP Detachment received a report of a large group of individuals dressed in black clothing and wearing white masks near Chief Eli Larue Way.
Our officers responded and engaged immediately with the group who subsequently departed the location and continued throughout various parts of the city.
The posting of a banner bearing the words “got bones,” combined with the use of masks to conceal their identities while making such public statements is a cowardly attempt to avoid accountability for actions and messages that are clearly intended to intimidate, provoke fear and division.
The RCMP is taking this matter seriously and will continue to engage the group as part of our response and current ongoing investigation.
The RCMP’s position on this type of messaging is clear, and such and we will continue to ensure that all offences are thoroughly investigated to support potential prosecution.
Anyone with information, photos or video footage of this incident, or knowledge of future gatherings is encouraged to contact the Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP Detachment at 250-314-1800 or the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000 and cite file 2026-32566. You can remain anonymous by calling, Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Superintendent Jeff Pelley
Officer in Charge
Kamloops and Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP
The posting of a banner bearing the words “got bones,” combined with the use of masks to conceal their identities while making such public statements is a cowardly attempt to avoid accountability for actions and messages that are clearly intended to intimidate, provoke fear and division.
In the variety of reports of our leaders responses that I have seen nobody mentions the question. One leader speaks of unity, gratitude and strength. But two leaders bring up intimidation, violence, despicable acts of racism, denialism and hate. Who is mean here?
The ? was ignored in the “evidence” above. If the photo of the sign was not published NOBODY would know that a ? was being asked.
Now, in Canada, is it so difficult to ask a question that has NOT been answered that the ones asking have to hide?
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The fact is that these individuals didn’t do anything illegal. If the police had a clear path to charges they had plenty of time to bring them when they were “focused” on them. They may be able to get creative and try something esoteric to see if it sticks, but we do have a right in this country to expression and assembly. The courts would likely not take kindly to criminalizing bad taste and ill intent. Most of us abhor what they did, but that doesn’t make it illegal. I’ve seen ridiculous reactionary comments on Facebook suggesting Kamloops implements ID/tolls on the roads so that “we know who is coming into the community”. That is far more scary than what these idiots did on the bridge. If you want to live in an authoritarian regime where you’re forced to have the “correct” thoughts and say the “correct” things, and produce your ID at every town, there’s plenty of options out there. Don’t make Canada a police state on account of idiots reacting to idiots.
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