Hamilton Police have charged the organizer of the Defund The Police event that took place today in front of Hamilton’s City Hall.

On November 23, 2020, at approximately 12:00 noon the Defund The Police event began. During the course of the day, the number of participants in attendance ranged between 80-100 people in the forecourt at City Hall.

The City of Hamilton By-Law Enforcement and Hamilton Police Service attended the event and confirmed that the number of attendees exceeded the numbers permitted for an outdoor gathering. The organizer was present and identified. A 26-year-old female resident of Hamilton has been issued a Provincial Offences Act Summons for: 'Fail to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order as per Ontario Regulation 364/20, of the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020, section 10.1(1). A person convicted of this offence is liable to a minimum fine of $10,000. She will appear in court on February 1, 2021.

Hamilton Police are reminding the public that participation in such events could result in charges being laid pursuant to the Reopening Ontario Act.

Residents are encouraged to stay at home when ill, maintain a 2-metre distance (6 feet) from others, wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible, wash hands frequently with soap and water, and cover coughs or sneezes with your sleeve or a tissue to help stop the spread of COVID-19.