Status of Waterloo ‘freedom rally’ uncertain
WATERLOO — The status of an anti-lockdown “freedom rally” planned for Saturday in Waterloo remains unclear, with online posts suggesting the event has been moved to Toronto.
A poster identical in appearance to the one advertising the Waterloo rally was being shared online Friday, with the words “New Location” and “We will all unite and support Toronto at Dundas Square at noon.” The poster advertised the same guest speakers that had been expected in Waterloo.
Some people speculated online that organizers will begin the noon rally in Toronto and still host the planned 2 p.m. event at Waterloo Public Square.
Waterloo Regional Police aren’t sure what to expect. “We’ve also been made aware of social media posts that the local event has been cancelled, and that it may be moving to the Greater Toronto Area,” said Const. Ashley Dietrich.
In the event protesters do gather in Waterloo, “we’ll continue to monitor to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance,” Dietrich said, adding that anyone there should follow public health guidelines.
Mayor Dave Jaworsky reacted on Twitter to the poster alluding to a new location. “And there was MUCH rejoicing!
Thanks to all who were concerned and had done much planning to keep Uptown safe. Lots of effort, yet best to Be Prepared,” he wrote. “And to confirm: I am NOT happy that this is going to another community. Irresponsible and shameful.”
In an interview, Jaworsky said officials in Waterloo wwill remain vigilant. “I’ll be relieved after the weekend, because all bets are off.”
A number of agencies including police, city enforcement and security staff, public health and the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area were involved in preparing for the rally. Those efforts take up valuable time and resources that could be better spent on the physical and economic health of the community, Jaworsky said.
“I personally plan to be in uptown on Saturday with mmy mask and shopping lo- cal,” he said. “I’m hopeful tthe rally people will not be there t at all, but if they are, certainly give them a wide berth.”
Similar recent events in Ontario communities have seen hundreds of unmasked participants protesting COVID-19 restrictions and public health guidelines. Three organizers of a “freedom rally” in London last weekend were charged under the Reopening Ontario Act. Current gathering restrictions limit an outdoor event such as this to 25 people, who must still maintain a two-metre physical distance.
Regional chair Karen Redman expressed concerns that people from areas with higher COVID-19 case counts like Peel and Toronto might travel to Waterloo for the rally. “We understand people who attend these events are often from outside the region, who have gone from city to city not wearing a mask, and one would assume that there would be the risk of additional COVID-19 spread within the crowd,” she said during a Friday briefing.
Redman also voiced support for local business owners worried about harassment from protesters for their mask policies and considering a temporary closure. “It’s unfair to put their businesses in jeopardy right before Christmas, and at a time when they are already struggling.”
Most residents have been adhering to public health guidelines and provincial restrictions in the name of the greater good, Redman said. “These events can diminish some of those efforts,” she said. “This is not wwho we are as a communi- ty.”
Brent Davis is a Waterloo Region-based general assignment reporter for The Record. Reach him via email: bdavis@therecord.com