An anti-COVID mandate demonstration in downtown Belleville Tuesday morning was greeted by a counter-protest.
A convoy of about 60 vehicles against COVID mandates was involved in a slow roll that began on Wallbridge-Loyalist Road and made its way to City Hall.
As some vehicles circled City Hall honking their horns, about 50 protesters gathered in front of the building at one point spontaneously erupting into the singing of O Canada.
Anti-COVID mandate protesters gather outside Belleville City Hall, February 15, 2022. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
Organizer Cory Sager says they continue to demonstrate because all mandates need to be lifted.
“We’re not a fringe minority. We like to show that. Basically the whole point of this is just to support the truckers and lift the mandates. I’ve been doin’ this since before the truckers were out there but for the same reason. Lift the mandates, help out the kids. Get the masks off the kids, that’s one of my biggest things. It’s really detrimental to their social development, so.”
Anti-COVID mandate protesters gather outside Belleville City Hall, February 15, 2022. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
Shamus has joined a few local demonstrations saying he just wants his life back.
“Because I feel like we should at least have a little bit of leniency on the mandates. Trying to get things back to normal. For sure I miss actually goin’ out to dinner and stuff, doing things with family. It’s been pretty lonely.”
An anti-COVID mandate protester outside Belleville City Hall, February 15, 2022. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
Meanwhile, a group of about 15 counter-protesters stood across the street.
Counter-protesters watch from across the street at an anti-COVID mandate demonstration outside Belleville City Hall, February 15, 2022. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
Susan supports continued mandates saying it will help limit the spread of the virus and save lives.
“Even if, everyone wearing a mask and getting vaccinated only saves one single life, it’s worth the inconvenience to save a life.”
“I’m already free, I live in one of the freest countries in the world and these people don’t have to get vaxxed, that’s fine. I understand the virus is coming to an end. We’ve all for two years did what we had to do. The mob shouldn’t be taking over the majority. We’re, we’re coming to an end. Just hang in there, that’s what I think.”
A counter-protester makes his way past anti-COVID mandate demonstraters outside Belleville City Hall, February 15, 2022. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
Matt says he was compelled to join the counter-protest after an anti-mandate protester in Trenton last week talked about not being able to support a family member at their chemo treatments.
“My wife has cancer and is immunocompromised. And we would like to just get to the fact that we could have chemo but it’s so backed up with anti-vaxxers in the hospital – and it is anti-vaxxers, that’s what the doctors in the hospital are telling us – and that’s why I’m here is to support her. She’s in the hospital right now because the cancer is progressing and she hasn’t been getting the treatment she needs.”
“And then we’ve got these people over here who’ve just decided hey, we don’t like what they’re doing and we’re gonna come out here and stand against it and I have to commend that, I really do. It takes a lot of guts to do what they’re doing. I love their choices. You know, they can do what they want. We just want them to love ours too.”
At one point a few anti-mandate demonstraters crossed the street to speak to the counter protesters and while there were some heated words, there was no escalation as Sager asked everyone to be respectful.
An anti-COVID mandate protester in discussion with counter protesters in downtown Belleville, February 15, 2022. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
