Organizers of anti-lockdown protests charged, police officer assaulted

Toronto police said Saturday they have charged two people they say organized two separate large gatherings at Yonge Dundas Square and Nathan Phillips Square and a third person who allegedly assaulted a police officer.

Both were anti-lockdown protests held on the first weekend the stay-at-home order was in effect.

A video posted on social media showed several people heading south on Yonge Street with many of them not wearing masks.

The person who posted the video said there appeared to be close to 200 people with around 100 cops present.

Nothing like an anti-mask parade with a very special guest. pic.twitter.com/2cUk4rRBFk

— Caryma Sa’d – Lawyer (@CarymaRules) January 16, 2021

Lamont Daigle, 49, was arrested at Nathan Phillips Square and charged with common nuisance while Kelly Anne Farkus (Wolfe), 38, was arrested at Yonge Dundas Square and is facing the same charge.

When police responded to the Yonge Dundas Square protest, one officer was also assaulted.

Conor Chappell, 22, has been charged with Assault Police Officer and Obstruct Police.

Police also issued tickets at Yonge-Dundas Square.

“18 Fail To Comply charges were laid from the event at Yonge and Dundas Square,” police said in a news release late Saturday evening.

Watch below: dozens defy stay-at-home orders

Police tweeted at the time that they recognize the right to protest, but said as gatherings of more than five people goes against the stay-at-home order, they would be “dispersing attendees and issuing tickets as appropriate.”

The stay-at-home order came into effect as of Thursday and violators can be ticketed or issued a summons if they fail to comply with it.