Photo: Jon Manchester

A threatening letter to Okanagan mayors is demanding a halt to COVID-19 vaccinations.

A group calling itself the Sovereign Republic of British Columbia sent the letter to Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming.

The group is also calling for an end to the provincial mask mandate, to stop all “unlawful lockdowns” and “cease and desist all social distancing.”

Similar letters were also sent to Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran and Lake Country Mayor James Baker.

"We the Sovereigns, having done our due diligence, realize that you in your ignorance are committing atrocities and we are commanding you to cease these criminal actions, and, further, in the event that this action is not adhered to, you will be subpoenaed by our Common Law Grand Jury to stand trial for your criminal actions and you won’t be able to claim like the Nazi’s 'I was just doing my job,'" the letter states.

The City of Vernon stated in an email: “Mayor Cumming and the City of Vernon have no association with the group identified as the Sovereign Republic of British Columbia. The views expressed in the document sent by the group to the city do not reflect those of the mayor's office, nor the City of Vernon. Everyone is encouraged to continue following the guidance and directives of the B.C. Provincial Health Officer, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Lake Country Mayor James Baker said the letter was “strange” and he has never heard of the group before, adding he does not plan to respond.

“There is nothing to respond to,” said Baker. “There is no threat other than you are supposed to do this.”

Baker pointed out the mask mandate and social distancing rules come from the provincial government.

A spokesperson for Basran said the Kelowna mayor is not commenting on the letter.

Notices were also sent to Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and others.

According to the group's website, the goal of the group is to “establish a De Jure government to replace the De facto Corporation British Columbia masquerading as a constitutional government.”

No one person has come forward as the leader of the group, with only a Vernon post office box listed as an address.