A controversial and prominent anti-restrictions activist drew a crowd and was met with counter-protesters when he made a stop in Golden on Friday, April 23.

Chris 鈥淪ky鈥� Saccoccia, who is currently on a cross-Canada 鈥淔reedom Convoy鈥� tour, says he鈥檚 trying to show that border checkpoints are illegal and unethical and that they can鈥檛 stop Canadians from travelling.

He also speaks out against mask requirements and vaccines.

鈥淲e just want to show everyone that there is a movement against this,鈥� he said.

鈥淚鈥檝e had thousands of people at each rally we got to because they鈥檙e trying to implement the vaccine passport and get massive compliance within the vaccine passport.

鈥淲e want to let everyone know that they have rights and the ability to just say no.鈥�

Saccoccia said that he was travelling towards Calgary when he was asked to stop in Golden by Eat Pure Mountain Market. He spoke with a crowd of people just outside of the shop.

Counter-protesters made their displeasure with his appearance known, showing up in vehicles at the gas station next to Eat Pure and honking in protest.

In recent months, Saccoccia has managed to get himself charged for breaking the Quarantine Act, banned from and placed on the no-fly list, all the while making a name for himself among anti-restriction crowds across the nation.

He has drawn condemnation from the Saskatchewan premier, who Scott Moe, who said Saccoccia is not welcome in the province.

The has revealed past comments Saccoccia made denying the holocaust and some that tout anti-Semitic, anti-Black, homophobic and Islamophobic rhetoric.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry called increasing hospitalization numbers 鈥渁larming鈥� and pleaded with people to limit their travel and get vaccinated when they can to reduce the pressure on hospitals.

~with files from Michael Rodriguez