Journal Staff
Sarnia Police have charged 12 people with violating provincial orders after participating in an anti-lockdown protest at City Hall on the weekend.
Police said each of the protesters was issued $880 tickets today under the Reopening Act of Ontario after taking part in the latest protest on April 24.
“Sarnia Police Service has attempted to both educate and warn those individuals in attendance. Unfortunately, our officers have been met with resistance and a lack of willingness to comply,” police said.
On April 8, Ontario ordered residents to stay at home except for essential purposes and not to congregate outdoors to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Several of those charged today received a second ticket after attending an anti-lockdown rally at City Hall on April 17, police said.
Participants who attend the weekend rallies - who for the most part don’t wear masks - say they are fighting government overreach and the loss of personal freedoms protected by the Constitution.
Police said they have tried to educate and warn those attending the weekly protests.
Before today, only about a dozen local residents had charges over the past 13 months for pandemic restriction violations.
If other participants who attended the last weekend’s rally can be identified more charges might still be laid, police said.