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Good afternoon folks,
I’m here in Niagara-on-the-Lake for an animal rights activist protest and a counter protest involving town residents. Both protests are scheduled for 12:30pm and will take place in the area of King and Queen.
I’m here in Niagara-on-the-Lake for an animal rights activist protest and a counter protest involving town residents. Both protests are scheduled for 12:30pm and will take place in the area of King and Queen.
Little background: these animal rights protests began in 2017 due to the horse-drawn carriages in town. Then a group called Locals for Carriages began to protest.
Today’s protest involves the animal rights group and a group not affiliated with LFC but it’s residents protesting.
Today’s protest involves the animal rights group and a group not affiliated with LFC but it’s residents protesting.
In July this year, council wanted to get both sides back to the table to solve the issues and keep the peace. This hasn’t happened. https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/10075773-notl-council-hopes-to-control-issue-between-horse-and-carriage-operators-and-protesters/
Last year when discussing the protocols between all parties, one group didn’t sign on.
Niagara Regional Police also want to discuss the core issues with the groups: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/10126874--keep-the-peace-nrps-requesting-discussion-with-opposing-horse-drawn-carriage-groups-in-notl/
Then allegedly a group of carriage supporters held a unsympathetic sign after a animal rights activist was struck and killed by a transport truck: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/10111436-the-idealistic-life-and-violent-death-of-hamilton-animal-rights-champion-regan-russell/
The animal rights activist group has since decided to call a protest, which town residents responded with calling their own to ‘Take back NOTL’ https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/10140350-awfan-call-to-action-youtube-video-could-lead-to-larger-police-presence-in-notl-on-sunday/
The carriage supporters apologized for the sign https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/10143569--extremely-apologetic-locals-for-carriages-issue-apology-for-unsympathetic-sign/
The family of Regan Russell responded to the apology: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/10144437--hateful-rhetoric-regan-russell-s-family-issues-statement-in-response-to-locals-for-carriages/
Right now the intersection is clear, no protesters. There have been two NRPS cruisers that have driven by, with police presence expected this afternoon.
Two NRP officers are now on foot in the area, still no protesters.
Animal rights activists are set up here in Simcoe Park
Here’s a wide shot of Simcoe Park
Spoke with Jason King, who is a leader amongst the animal rights group, he expects his side to keep the peace today in their protest and not engage with any counterprotest
NOTL resident protesters have filled all 4 corners of King and Queen Street
Lots of car honking in NOTL today, but remains peaceful
Here’s the view in Simcoe Park
Animal rights group is going into “action” says Jason King
Animal rights activists are lining up to begin their march
Both protesters meet now at the end of simcoe park
Animal activists are doing two minutes of silence for Regan Russell, while NOTL residents shout “go home”
The scene in the middle of King and Queen
Animal activists now plan to walk down Queen Street, then walk back to the King/Queen area and walk in a square.
I don’t see an end to this today.
I don’t see an end to this today.
NRPS look to be turning cars away on Queen
Still lots of tourists here
It’s a face off on Queen Street
