Another weekend, another anti-lockdown protest (8 photos)

An anti-lockdown protest at Bellevue Park Saturday afternoon brought out roughly two dozen maskless people to rally against what one speaker characterized as a removal of rights and freedoms. 

The speaker told protesters that the first protest in Bellevue Park was sensationalized in the media, with the mayor advising people not to attend. But there are people out there, he said, who can think for themselves. 

“They’re coming to the conclusion that these lockdowns have nothing to do with the virus - they have everything to do with removing our freedoms, with removing our rights,” he said.

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service was on hand, mobile command unit in tow. Officers were seen writing up tickets and distributing them to protesters. 

“I don’t care for you people. You people are the worst thing, the media,” a woman quipped to SooToday, as she waited for a ticket from an officer.

The speaker at the makeshift podium told protesters that ingesting the news will only serve to fill people with fear, eroding one’s confidence and health. 

“Fear is the most toxic environment you can put yourself into. This is about empowering people - empowering people with knowledge and information that will make them take a stand, make an active, healthy choice in terms of changing how they’re living right now,” he said. 

The past two protests have seen Sault Ste. Marie Police Service hand out 13 provincial offences notices, worth $750 each, for violations under the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). Another three people believed to be rally organizers have also been charged under the EMCPA to date. If convicted, the three individuals will face minimum fines of $10,000.