As the weather made for a beautiful weekend to head downtown, many said they couldn't enjoy Meridian Place because of the protests staged there against lockdowns and restrictions that have been in place due to public health guidelines around COVID-19.
For the second consecutive week, the Freedom of Information Rally and Lockdown Dispute took over Barrie’s popular gathering space along Dunlop Street.
The protest, which organizers have previously told BarrieToday will be happening every Saturday until all COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, happens from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. This past weekend, there were more than 200 people in attendance, most of whom were not wearing masks or adhering to physical distancing rules.
That number was up significantly from the just over 60 people who attended last weekend.
Similar rallies have been held elsewhere, including Calgary and London, England.
While there is no law limiting how frequently a protest can occur, Mayor Jeff Lehman told BarrieToday he is concerned at how this particular event is happening.
“People have a right to protest, but do not have a right to put others at risk and violate the emergency order," he said Monday. "In my opinion, protesting once is one thing; repeatedly and intentionally flouting the law is something else.
“A number of protests this year have attempted to ensure safety through masks and distancing," he added. "These protests are doing the opposite.”
The speakers and organizers at the protest had sound equipment on the Meridian Place stage and could be heard throughout the public space and adjacent parking lots.
Lehman confirmed that no permits have been issued for these protests, so permission had not been granted for the recent event or the one last weekend. He said staff are looking into how the sound system and/or other circuits have been accessed, if at all.
A couple named David and Sharon were down at Meridian Place to do some reading under the blue skies on Saturday. Both remained well back of the protest, unsure what was going on and what exactly the crowd was protesting.
“What exactly are they protesting? Science? They’re protesting wearing a mask, which is such a small thing to do to try to eliminate the very restrictions they want gone,” said David, who didn't give his last name. “They’re literally the reason we have restrictions.”
Sharon said she doesn't understand why they are allowed to gather in the space, especially when finding out the group has proclaimed they will meet every Saturday until all restrictions are lifted.
“For them to be coming down here every weekend, they’re taking the space away from others. That's not fair to those who are being responsible,” she said. “Someone needs to stop this.”
Coun. Keenan Aylwin, who represents Ward 2 and the city's downtown, says he's worried about Saturday’s protest and ones like it may be contributing to the ongoing pandemic.
“I'm becoming increasingly concerned with the public health risk that these anti-science gatherings are posing,” Aylwin said. “I'm hoping that a solution that respects freedom of expression, but also ensures safety and compliance with COVID-19 protocols, can be achieved.”
Sharon said she doesn’t know what would happen if another group was at Meridian Place or if people were hanging out enjoying the day and the protesters began gathering.
“What do you do? If no one will stop them from doing this, you would just have to leave because you’re in fear for your health and safety," she said.
“Unless a permit is issued, the space is available for general public use," Lehman said.
Grace Taylor and her friends were also downtown on Saturday to enjoy the weather and grab a bite to eat. Taylor told BarrieToday she was very disappointed and didn't think there would be that many people in one area who would be allowed to blatantly contravene public health guidelines.
“What particularly sticks out to me as I look at the people here is how many little children are here," she said. "My immediate thought was they’re going to go to school and be eating lunch without a mask on and possibly give COVID to other children, who will take it home to parents and grandparents. Not to mention the obvious, which is that the teachers are very exposed to this.”
The 17-year-old Barrie student said she has friends who have been mocked by anti-maskers for wearing a face covering.
“We weren't sure how we should walk around here. I mean, where do you go? They’re all over the square and people can’t enjoy it because of their selfishness. You never know what they’ll say when they see our masks,” Taylor said. “Truthfully, we have to assume that everyone there has the virus and are going to be a main reason we have any more restrictions going forward.”
Lehman says he plans on speaking with Barrie police Monday about what enforcement actions will be taking place.
“Meridian is a public space for the public and I agree people should not be intimidated into staying away from it,” said the mayor.
