Hamilton police charge Brampton organizer of anti-mask protest

Brampton | Ontario | Crime | Latest News |

Published January 12, 2021 at 2:48 pm

A woman from Brampton has been charged in Hamilton for organizing a protest against COVID-19 restrictions.

Protests took place the past two weekends in Hamilton organized by the group called Hugs Over Masks.

According to Hamilton Police, there were 40 people in attendance on January 3 and again on January 10 more than 60 people took part. Prior to the most recent event, police warned organizers that a gathering would be breaching offences under the Reopening Ontario Act and that charges would apply.

Despite the warning, the organizers went ahead with the event.

Officers attended both events and confirmed that the number of attendees exceeded the number permitted for an outdoor gathering. The organizers were present at both events.

Hamilton police have charged a 38-year-old woman from Brampton with:

  • Fail to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order as per Ontario Regulation 82/20, of the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020, section 10.1(1) – (Court Date: February 10, 2021)
  • Fail to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order as per Ontario Regulation 82/20, of the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020, section 10.1(1) – (Court Date: February 17, 2021)

A 27-year-old was also arrested and faces similar charges.

The names of the people arrested have not been released because the charges have not yet been sworn into court. That will take place in early February.

A person convicted of this offence is liable to a minimum fine of $10,000.

Hamilton Police warn that attending similar events in the can lead to more charges.

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