Stratford Police has charged 14 people for the April “No More Lockdowns Canada” protest in the city. The protest featured speakers including politicians Derek Sloan and Randy Hillier. Police say 13 of the people charged were either organizers or speakers at the event and one other person who was being aggressive at times during the protest.
They have been charged with Failing to Comply with an emergency order Enforcement of Covid-19 Measures, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
The protest rally was supposed to be held in Lower Queen’s Park but had to move at the last minute after the city and the police barricaded the area. The organizers then moved to Downie and Shakespeare Streets. There were about 700 people at the rally, which at the time was the largest gathering protesting the government’s public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Everyone charged will be required to be in court on June 22nd.
