Anti-vaccination protest targets home of Niagara’s acting medical officer of health
Local anti-vaxxers targeted the home of Niagara's acting medical officer of health, Dr. Mustafa Hirji Tuesday night in a protest that featured vulgar chants, flashing lights, sirens and a promise to the neighbourhood they would return.
You are not a dictator, you are a dick," shouted the protest's apparent leader, Rob Primerano, over a megaphone during the incident which he broadcast live over Instagram.
Regional chair Jim Bradley condemned the protest in a statement late Tuesday evening.
I am both frustrated and saddened that yet again we are witnessing the harassment of Dr. Hirji by a small group of people. I want to be exceptionally clear: there is no room for the actions that occurred this evening, and I know I stand with the vast majority of Niagara residents when I say that demonstrations at an individual's private residence are completely unacceptable and reprehensible," Bradley said. Make no mistake, the work of our medical officer of health has saved lives in Niagara."
About a dozen protesters stood on the street in front of Hirji's home around 7:30 p.m. They aimed flashing lights at the front door, rang bells, and repeatedly blared a siren from a megaphone.
You are guilty of crimes against humanity," Primerano can be heard shouting at Hirji's home, along with false accusations that Hirji is ruining lives and killing people".
It is not clear if Hirji or his family was home at the time of the hour-long protest.
The protest followed similar incidents recently outside the homes of Ontario Premier Doug Ford and provincial health minister Christine Elliott.
On the video the protesters, who call themselves human rights defenders," can be heard saying they were not sure Hirji was home.
But we got Christine Elliott the other night. She was home," a protester can be heard saying.
Shortly after the protesters arrived they began singing you can shove your vaccine passport," through megaphones.
About 25 minutes into the protest, a Niagara Regional Police officer arrived and asked the protesters to come back during the day. When they refused, the officer told them not to use a megaphone because it would violate a noise bylaw, prompting Primerano to start shouting hands off our kids" through the microphone.
The police officer appears to have taken no further action.
When residents of the neighbourhood came out to object to the protest Primerano, who is facing fines related to anti-lockdown protests, told the protesters not to engage with them.
If they want to protect genocide they will protect genocide. That is their business and god will deal with them," Primo said, later yelling that the protesters would be back and he wanted to spend his Christmas holidays outside Hirji's home.
Mind your business," Primerano told residents. If you want us to come back here with a thousand people we will."
The targeting of public officials has also extended to social media. Recently, Niagara Health's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Karim Ali, shuttered his Twitter account after sharing information about the pandemic for nearly two years due to online harassment.
-This is a developing story. More to come.
Grant LaFleche is a St. Catharines-based investigative reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: grant.lafleche@niagaradailies.com
Full Statement by Regional Chair Jim Bradley
I am both frustrated and saddened that yet again we are witnessing the harassment of Dr. Hirji by a small group of people. I want to be exceptionally clear: there is no room for the actions that occurred this evening, and I know I stand with the vast majority of Niagara residents when I say that demonstrations at an individual's private residence are completely unacceptable and reprehensible.
This type of behaviour contributes nothing to our public discourse and serve only as an embarrassment.
I also know that I stand with hundreds of thousands of Niagara's residents when I say that we support Dr. Hirji, and the entire team at Public Health. Since March 2020, our hard-working staff in Public Health have made incalculable sacrifices in both their personal and professional lives to keep us safe. We owe a massive debt of gratitude to Dr. Hiriji for his courageous leadership and guidance over the last 21 months.
Make no mistake, the work of our Medical Officer of Health has saved lives in Niagara.
While I believe in freedom of expression, I also believe that we have to hold individuals accountable when their actions are over the line. Actions that could be perceived as a threat to the health and safety of a member of our community will not be tolerated. I know that the Niagara Regional Police are well aware of this situation and will take appropriate action if necessary.
I have been in touch with Dr. Hirji this evening and I have expressed both my support and extreme disappointment in this entire situation. I know I speak for all of Regional Council when I say that we appreciate Dr. Hirji's work, and we stand by to extend any support necessary.