Aylmer braces for anti-mask protest

The town of Aylmer, Ont., has declared a state of emergency because of the “potential for civil unrest and service disruptions” at an upcoming march to protest COVID-19 restrictions.

Aylmer Mayor Mary French signed the order that came into effect at 3 p.m. Monday. Aylmer police say the order was declared in response to a second “anti-masking Freedom March” scheduled for Saturday.

In a statement posted on the town's website, French said an emergency is defined under provincial legislation as “a situation, or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property.”

Declaring a state of emergency extends legal protection to staff and elected officials, French said, and it also “conveys the serious (sic) of the circumstance to not only the residents of the municipality, but also creates awareness to the levels of government and officials that are so willing to assist.”

More than 150 people

WE REALLY DO HAVE TO TAKE THAT MEASURED APPROACH.

gathered Oct. 24 in downtown Aylmer for what they called a “freedom march” to protest COVID-19 restrictions. Photos of the rally by the Aylmer Express newspaper show a large group, including families with children, not wearing masks or distancing.

Aylmer police Chief Zvonko Horvat acknowledged the crowds violated emergency laws, but said no charges were laid or tickets issued. “We really do have to take that measured approach first before we take any action,” he said.

French described the rally as “shocking,” adding she worried it could trigger another jump in coronavirus cases.

“Our residents are very upset by this,” she said. “When these sorts of things happen in our community, it's so disheartening,” she said. “It makes our community look foolish.”

Joyce Lock, medical officer of health for the area, condemned the march.

“Participating in a large group activity, unmasked, as cases are rising everywhere, is dangerous,” she said. “A single event such as the one held on (Oct. 24) has the potential to upend everything this region has worked toward and threatens the health and well-being of hundreds of residents.”

On Monday, Southwestern Public Health reported at least 40 people have been infected with COVID-19 at an outbreak on a farm in Bayham, a rural municipality about 15 kilometres east of Aylmer.

Aylmer has had a total of 89 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.