ARTHUR – Wellington County OPP did not lay any charges or ticket anyone who attended the anti-lockdown protest at a gym in Arthur on Monday.
Protesters gathered at Futuristic Fitness which is remaining open despite a provincial lockdown order.
Around 30 people, mostly from the Toronto area, showed up Monday afternoon.
Cheri Rockefeller, media officer with Wellington OPP, confirmed OPP did attend to the scene Monday for an organized protest.
In an email, Rockefeller said the organization recognizes the rights of the public to a safe environment but stressed the right for a protest.
“The OPP’s role at protests is to ensure public safety and to keep the peace,” Rockefeller said. “The OPP respects the right of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
Rockefeller also confirmed Colin Mitchell Hewison, owner of Futuristic Fitness, has previously been charged for violating lockdown orders and has been summoned to court in May.
The owner is charged with “fail to comply with an order made during a declared emergency contrary to the Reopening Ontario Act.”
