A couple of hundred Sudbury residents turned up at the south parking lot, near Bell Park, at Paris and York Streets Sunday to join the anti-lockdown and "just say No to government" protest.
The event was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. to hear comments from well-known Ontario independent MPP Randy Hillier who has been appearing at similar events across the province to speak out against Ontario government measures restricting various freedoms during the pandemic.
People began showing up as much as an hour early in the top parking lot to get a place to sit, to stand and to meet others who shared their views. Hillier was already on hand and was being treated like a guest of honour with hugs, handshakes, smiles and laughter from the people showing up. In many cases people regarded Hillier as something of a celebrity and many of those arriving wanted to get a photo standing beside him. Hillier was happy to oblige.
Several people, although they took photos of themselves with smartphones objected to the idea of a news reporter snapping photos during the rally. A Sudbury.Com reporter was approached by at least four individuals who said they did not want to see their photos published online. No one, perhaps other than a the Sudbury.Com reporter, was wearing a face mask or social distancing. The face mask would become an issue later in the afternoon.
Several participants carried flags and signs indicating their displeasure with the current state of affairs.
"We do not consent. We will not comply," said one sign. "My job is essential to feed my family," said another sign.
Many wore T-shirts with No More Lockdowns printed on the front, and Flatten The Fear printed on the back.
One woman showed up with a a blue and white flag that said Trump 2020 - Keep America Great. Another woman wore a T-shirt with the same slogan.
Another person had a flag that said Fight for your Freedom. Know Your Rights.
The event featured a handful of speakers who all had the similar protest message that the government has overstepped the bounds by having lockdowns and restricting people's movements.
They talked about the importance of getting the word out to other citizens that they do not have to wear masks, or follow lockdown rules or even wear masks at work if your employers ask you to do so.
One speaker encouraged citizens to "just say no" to their employers and to the provincial and federal levels of government. Each of the statements was met by cheers and applause.
After nearly an hour of speeches had passed, it wasn't clear if Hillier was going to be speaking to the crowd.
When Sudbury.Com approached Hillier at the side of the crowd to ask for a comment, Hillier right away asked.
"Are you not fearful being here?" Hillier asked.
"Am I what?" said the reporter, not sure of what he heard.
"Are you not fearful?" he repeated.
Hillier seemed to be put off by the reporter wearing a mask and speaking through a mask.
Hillier was then asked if he would like to comment on the size of turnout.
"No," he said.
"Would you want to comment on anything?" he was then asked.
"Not with you," he responded.
"Is there a reason for that sir?" the reporter asked.
"Because freedom is a choice," said Hillier who then turned away.
Hillier's appearance in Sudbury was the second of a two-day swing through the North. He was in Sault Ste. Marie at a similar rally on Saturday.
At that event he talked about the fact that he has been charged more than 20 times for defying provincial pandemic measures. The majority of those tickets received have been for organizing events. Hillier said Saturday he is looking forward to the day when he’s in a court of law.
“I’ll argue the merits of these unconstitutional breaches, and I am confident that any competent judge hearing the evidence will agree that what we have done is unlawful, injurious and unjustified - and those laws will be struck down and nullified,” he said.
