Hugs Over Masks organizer charged by Hamilton police

Hamilton police have charged the organizer of a Hugs Over Masks event that took place in the city hall forecourt this past weekend.

In a release, police say that more than 100 people gathered in the city hall forecourt on Nov. 8 for a Hugs Over Masks event to rally against COVID-19 restrictions.

Police identified a 26-year-old man as the organizer and had informed" him that the planned protest was prohibited under the Reopening Ontario Act and he could face charges.

The event went forward anyways.

Police say Hamilton bylaw officers as well as police attended the event and saw that it exceeded the number of guests allowed at an outdoor gathering under current COVID-19 measures.

The organizer that police had previously identified was at the event and was subsequently charged under the Reopening Ontario Act. Anyone convicted of the offence is subject to a minimum fine of $10,000.

The organizer, who is not named in the release, will appear in court on Feb. 22, 2021, police say.

Police are reminding the public that participating in such events" could result in them being charged.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com