COVID Protests Continue for Second Week in Cobourg Despite Lockdown

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: Local, Police Blotter

“Are we the only ones awake in this town?” one woman said during a weekly protest in downtown Cobourg on Saturday, January 23, 2021.

“People are dying from vaccines,” she says.

Upwards of 10 people came out on the bitterly cold day on Saturday to protest the lockdown because of COVID-19.

Holding a Canadian flag and sign stating, “End Lockdown Now,” Harwood resident Graham Walker said he’s been out every week for the protests since May.

“I love this country and I’m worried about the things I’m seeing happening.

So he and others peacefully assemble in front of Victoria Hall like they have done each Saturday from 12 p.m. to approximately 3 p.m.

Walker says, “I know there is something,” concerning COVID-19, “but the PCR (point-of care test for COVID) test is a lot of bs.”

Walker says the government is counting COVID deaths for people that have died from all sorts of reasons, but have tested positive off of bad tests.

“There is so much falsehood to it that it’s hard to say what’s believable – there is probably some kind of virus.”

“Evidence would be good,” but he says, “if I can go on the ontario.ca website and see that they will count deaths of other causes, but if they’ve tested positive they’ll count as a COVID death. That to me is a big lie.”

The current lockdown started on Thursday, January 14, 2021at 12:01 a.m., when the provincial government issued a stay-at-home order.

Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a limit of five people with limited exceptions.

The government said those who decide not to abide by orders will be subject to a set fine and/or prosecution.

“Strong, new measures will be enforced to stop the spread of COVID,” stated the government.

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “We are taking extraordinary action to provide law enforcement officers with the tools and support they need to protect the health and wellbeing of Ontarians.”

The first Saturday of the lockdown there were 20 protestors in front of Victoria Hall and on Saturday, January 23 there were approximately eight.

During the first Saturday, a by-law officer with the Town of Cobourg monitored the situation from his vehicle and on the second Saturday of the lockdown two Cobourg Police officers walked from the police station to speak with the protestors for approximately five minutes.

“How are you guys? Staying warm?,” asked a masked Det. Sgt. John Linney.

Linney conveyed because of the wind, police were concerned about flags getting in pedestrians way as they pass by.

“We’re not here to cause problems for you just like you’re not here to cause problems for us.”

“You guys haven’t given us cause to do anything where we are going to be issuing tickets.”

Linney would only say, “there are a few avenues, but right now we’re here to work with you guys.”

After meeting with the group the two officers walked back to the police station.

Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf stated police received five complaints concerning last weeks protest involving 20 people.

“We’re into continued unique times here in Ontario.”

“The current lockdown putting pressure on all members of our community regardless of what people think or believe.”

VandeGraaf said the group of people, “have a voice and they are exercising their voice.”

“Our intent is to remain positive and engage with community at large to say you’re allowed a voice we encourage a voice we encourage cooperative conversation, but there (are) orders in place prohibiting large gatherings.

Last week police “monitored” the protest.

But, “we are really getting close to that other “e” which is enforcement.”

As far as Walker said standing in front of Victoria Hall holding his sign, “if I get a ticket for hugging somebody I’d frame it and hang it on the wall for the rest of my life.”

Today’s Northumberland reached out to Cobourg Mayor John Henderson several times during the week about the people protesting during the lockdown.  Henderson offered no comment.