Protest against COVID restrictions draws large crowd in Uptown Waterloo
Posted Jan 24, 2022 03:48:00 PM.
A large crowd gathered at Waterloo Town Square Sunday afternoon in protest of COVID-19 restrictions, including People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier.
Being called a “freedom rally” by supporters, it was similar to protests held last summer in Uptown Waterloo, but this one put an emphasis on the vaccine mandate for truckers.
Truck drivers are required to be vaccinated to cross the Canada-US Border.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance has denounced protest on public roads and says the majority of the industry is vaccinated.
“We must adapt and comply with this mandate,” said CTA president Stephen Laskowski.
People were seen carrying homemade signs with words like: “no more lies,” “we want our glorious and free back,” and “where there is risk there must be choice.”
People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier said, “Our message will be very clear — end all these mandates,” as the crowd began a cheer of “no more mandates.”
“History told us that truth will always win. What we're saying, we are just saying and speaking the truth based on facts and on science. We will win the battle together and be strong and free again,” Bernier told the crowd.
Independent MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, Randy Hillier also spoke at the rally.
Hillier has been been condemned in provincial legislature, largely for posting photos of people he claimed, without any evidence, had died from COVID-19 vaccine.
The maskless crowd also included some children.
There are currently no limits on the number of attendees for organized public events under public health rules, but masks must be worn when people cannot socially distance.
“Municipal Enforcement Services, along with Waterloo Regional Police Service, monitored the event to ensure public safety,” said Nicole Papke, director of municipal enforcement services at the City of Waterloo.
Papke said there are “no incidents to report.”
Regional police estimate around 500 people were in attendance and it says no charges were laid.
