The London and Middlesex Medical Health Officer said it was disappointing to find out that a large crowd gathered in Victoria Park in London on Saturday as part of what is known as the Worldwide Rally for Freedom.
Photos from the rally showed hundreds of exposed people standing less than two meters apart.
“Of course people have the right to protest. It’s just sad that they choose to protest something like this,” said Dr. Chris Mackie of Middlesex-London Health Unit across from 980 CFPL.
“It feels like they are choosing their own selfishness rather than protecting the people around them.”
Church of God Pastor Henry Hildebrandt speaks as hundreds of supporters gather in Victoria Park for the Worldwide Rally for Freedom #antilockdownprotest pic.twitter.com/BKm6GZoMqm
– 980 CFPL London News (@ AM980News) March 20, 2021
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Several speakers, including the pastor of the Church of God, Henry Hildebrandt, attended the rally and spoke to the participants.
“That is why we speak out against oppression,” Hildebrandt told the crowd. “It’s not just about me and my church. It’s about everyone else … It’s about us all. “
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Anti-lockdown and anti-mask protests have taken place in London and surrounding cities in recent months. However, according to Mackie, the rally on Saturday could have more serious consequences.
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Dr. Mackie said that people who stand up for an anti-health rally are “betting on COVID”.
“We are entering a third wave with a more dangerous virus that is more likely to spread,” he said. “This is the kind of activity that makes cases explode.”
“One of the unfortunate things about this is that (people) who (sometimes) take part in an anti-mask rally are not tested. So we may not see cases until there is the second generation who acquired those at this event that it was passed on to others in the community, ”added the health officer.
Mackie recommends that those who participated in the rally monitor themselves for symptoms, get tested to see if they develop any, and avoid contact with anyone for the next 14 days.
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“I think in a community (you) have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect those around us. It’s just disappointing that people are choosing the opposite thing, ”he said.
London and Middlesex are currently in the Orange Restrict Zone of the COVID-19 Response Framework in Ontario.
Saturday’s rally exceeded the guidelines that allow up to 100 people to gather outdoors to maintain physical distance.
The global rally for freedom also saw rallies in cities near London on Saturday, including Sarnia and Windsor.
Nationwide rallies were also held in Kelowna, BC and Calgary.
1:55Protesters gather outside Peterborough Town Hall for the anti-lockdown rally
Protesters gather outside Peterborough Town Hall for the anti-lockdown rally – March 13, 2021
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