Two people have been arrested after protesters for the second time in five days showed up outside the home of Peterborough Public Health’s medical officer of health on Wednesday night.
The health unit on Thursday morning said its weekly media briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic hosted by Dr. Thomas Piggott scheduled for noon would be postponed until Friday due to “events that happened at the personal residence of Dr. Piggott last night and his need to be with his family.”
The health unit did not disclose details on the incident.
However, videos circulating on social media show individuals outside Piggott’s residence in East City, reportedly delivering a “Cease & Desist Order” letter to Piggott, demanding that he stop advocating the administration of COVID-19 vaccines and what they call “ongoing crimes against humanity.”
In a video a woman is seen knocking on Piggott’s door, initially welcoming him to the neighbourhood. Piggott, standing in the doorway, inquires about another individual behind the woman who was video recording the incident. Piggott then promptly closes the door as the woman yells “you’ve been served” and leaves an envelope outside the door.
Peterborough Police Service officers were called to the scene. In another video, an officer is seen talking to a woman outlining why police were called to the scene.
“I cannot tell him he cannot feel threatened like someone tried to hit him,” the officer says. “If he felt threatened, so be it.”
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ARRESTS MADE:
On Thursday afternoon, police said a 30-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman were arrested in connection to the incident which occurred around 7 p.m.
Police say officers responded to the home about a “group of protesters.” A warrant was requested and issued for two people involved in the incident.
Around 10 a.m. Thursday, officers located and arrested a Peterborough man on the warrant. The woman was located and arrested around 1:30 p.m.
Both individuals were charged with criminal harassment and intimidation of a health official.
The man was also served with a court summons on two charges of mischief in connection with an unsanctioned parade in the city on Dec. 11, 2021.
Both accused were released on undertakings with conditions. Police say the woman is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 16 while the man has a Feb. 17 court date.
“Peterborough police take these incidents seriously and, in this case, has laid a charge under the new Bill C-3 provisions of the Criminal Code,” police said.
Police did not identify the accused. However, in several videos, a man identified as Tyler Berry — who has been a vocal opponent of COVID-19 vaccinations and provincial protocols— highlighted his arrest and release.
Police declined multiple interview requests with Global News Peterborough on Thursday. Police stated they would be present Friday during the health unit’s weekly briefing to answer questions.
Previous incidents
On Saturday, Jan. 15, individuals gathered outside Piggott’s residence. Police say they received calls from neighbours about “a protest of a number of people” in front of a home in East City.
Piggott on Saturday night said he and his family were “fine” and he apologized to his neighbours.
Peterborough—Kawartha MPP Dave Smith called the protest Saturday outside Piggott’s home “disgusting” while Peterborough—Kawartha MP Michelle Ferreri condemned the gathering.
“I want to be clear, I condemn this behaviour,” tweeted Ferreri. “When protests turn into personal attacks on our public health workers, a line must be drawn. I urge my constituents to exercise your rights peacefully; void of harassment and intimidation. Leave the home out of it. Period. We must continue to stand firm in our shared support of Peterborough’s public health care workers in order to ensure their safety at home.”
A day prior on Jan. 14, individuals gathered outside the health unit’s office building on King Street. Piggott on that day said he and his staff were being disrupted from work by “threatening antivaxxers.”
“Enough already,” he tweeted. “Everyone has the right to expressing their beliefs, no matter how wrong they may be. But not at our expense. Healthcare workers and public health need protection and can’t be the site of these terrorizing demonstrations.”
In late October 2021, police charged one man after they say a group of individuals gained access to a secure office area of the health unit where employees were working. A video of the event on bitchute.com showed individuals handing out letters as a “notice of liability for their participation in vaccine administration and ongoing crimes against humanity.”
— more to come
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