Ontario anti-lockdown protest organizer arrested and charged

A woman who organized a protest opposing government-imposed lockdowns has been charged after more than 100 people showed up to her demonstration earlier in November, Chatham Daily News reports.

The 32-year-old from Wallaceburg, a community of Chatham-Kent municipality, Ontario, is being charged with violating the Reopening Ontario Act for organizing the protest with the Chatham-Kent Freedom Group, which saw far more people gather together than is currently allowed by provincial law. Outdoor social gatherings in that region are restricted to a maximum of 25 people.

The rally began at Chatham-Kent's Tecumseh Park before the group marched through the downtown area of the municipality.

The charge calls into question Premier Doug Ford's commitment to freedom of speech, an issue which he ran on in his 2018 provincial campaign. During his first year and a half as Premier, Ford's government instituted a number of policies designed to protect freedom of speech on campus against radical mobs.

“During these difficult and challenging times those jeopardizing public safety and contradicting the law, will be held accountable to the courts,” declared police Chief Gary Conn. “The law is clear and requires responsible action.”

If convicted under the act, the woman faces a fine between $10,000-$100,000 and up to one year in jail. She is expected to appear in court on January 6th.