Hundreds protest lockdown restrictions at City Hall

Journal Staff A crowd estimated in the hundreds gathered at Sarnia’s City Hall on Saturday to protest provincial lockdowns.

Journal Staff

A crowd estimated in the hundreds gathered at Sarnia’s City Hall on Saturday to protest provincial lockdowns.

A number of small business owners told the crowd how Sarnia-Lambton’s move to “grey-lockdown” status has prohibited them from operating, despite their stores following all provincial protocols.

Some brought signs opposing the restrictions. Most were not wearing masks.

The event was billed as part of a World Wide Rally for Freedom and Democracy.

It came at the end of a week in which some local business owners defied Ontario’s closure order, and at least one was charged by Sarnia’s bylaw enforcement office.

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey acknowledged those who gathered at City Hall, telling CTV News: “For those people there today, I applaud them.”

Many others who didn’t attend the protest support “cautious reopening,” Bailey said, adding that he advocated for outdoor dining in grey-restrict zones and is working on the same for fitness centres and personal care services.

“We are pushing for them as well; they are next,” Bailey told CTV News.

“We are going to do everything we can do to advocate with the medical people, and the Premier has the final say.”