Several tickets under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act were once again handed out at a protest in Cobourg on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
Northumberland Rise-Up held a “Exercise in the Park” from noon until 3 p.m. in Victoria Park with members coming from Toronto to Belleville.
The group usually protests in front of Victoria Hall on Saturday’s but brought the protest to the bandshell with live music.
When members of the group found out the electrical outlets weren’t working, they brought a generator to power the speakers for the music.
A number of soccer balls were also put to use during the afternoon.
Nearby in the Centennial Pool parking lot over 10 members of the Cobourg Police Service and by-law officers stood by and watched the event. A Special Constable also took video and photos of the protestors.
The first to receive a $880 ticket was a person who brought the speaker system to the gathering.
The by-law officers served him the ticket which he refused to accept.
At 1:41 p.m., a by-law vehicle moved up to the perimeter of the park and over a speaker system stated if the protestors did not leave the park within 10-minutes they would be issued a ticket under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
Approximately 10-minutes later, members of the Cobourg Police Service and by-law officers moved into the park and stated issuing tickets.
At one point the guitarist on stage stated playing We’re Not Going to Take It by 80’s rock band Twisted Sister.
Tickets were handed out to various individuals including organizer Todd Noel and Josh Clausen who has three tickets (each carrying a fine of $880.00) and another one that is a summons to court.
The last ticket for the day was handed out at 3:04 p.m.
In total, approximately to 10 tickets were handed out, but Cobourg Police Service spokesperson Lisa Munday stated they would be issuing a press release on Monday.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
