The Ontario Crown has withdrawn all charges against Randal Linton of Waterloo, Ontario, who was charged after video of him at a 2021 anti-lockdown rally circulated online.
Crown withdraws charges against Waterloo father following anti-lockdown rally | The Democracy Fund (news release):
August 02, 2024 - "The Crown Attorney's office has officially withdrawn all charges against Randal Linton, a Waterloo resident who attended an anti-lockdown rally in 2021.
"Mr. Linton had been charged with failure to comply under the Reopening Ontario Act and an additional charge under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Upon conviction, Mr. Linton could have been jailed for a maximum of 1 year and fined up to $100,000.
"As part of the resolution, Mr. Linton agreed to make a $300 donation to the local Food Bank.
"Mr. Linton attended the rally to protest the government's restrictions on social gatherings, a stance captured on video - which eventually led to the charges being issued by the police.
"Adam Blake-Gallipeau, lawyer with The Democracy Fund (TDF), expressed satisfaction with the outcome. 'Mr. Linton's participation in the rally was a legitimate exercise of his Charter rights to peacefully assemble and express his views. We are pleased that he can now move forward with his life,' said Blake-Gallipeau.
"TDF's advocacy resulted in the withdrawal of the charges through negotiation, highlighting the importance of vigorous defence counsel in protecting individual rights.'I wouldn't have been able to pay a serious fine, and the stress on my family was huge. I'm grateful for the work TDF did,' Mr. Linton commented....
"About The Democracy Fund: Founded in 2021, The Democracy Fund (TDF) is a Canadian charity dedicated to constitutional rights, advancing education, and relieving poverty. TDF promotes constitutional rights through litigation and public education and supports an access to justice initiative for Canadians whose civil liberties have been infringed by government lockdowns and other public policy responses to the pandemic."
https://www.thedemocracyfund.ca/crown_withdraws_charges_waterloo_father_anti_lockdown_rally
He should never have been charged in the first place. We are entitled to protest in a peaceful way and it doesn't sound like he was being rowdy or breaking any laws. Sad the way this world has gone.
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