On Monday, Toronto front-line workers and first aiders protested a vaccination warrant and held a silent rally outside Queen’s Park as a crowd of protesters gathered in front of Toronto General Hospital to denounce the measures. COVID-19.
Protesters linked weapons during the final minutes of their event. They joined a choir of separate anti-vaccination demonstrations throughout the province. Although considered a “silent protest,” some front-line workers could be heard singing “freedom.”
In the face of an anti-mandate demonstration in front of Toronto General Hospital, this stern (coordinated with similar events in hospitals across Canada), a group of lifeguards against vaccination warrants organize a silent protest in front of Queen’s Park. @ 680NEWS pic.twitter.com/gM90F9mNLc
– Mark Douglas (@ Douglas680NEWS) September 13, 2021
Other city-based rallies were held outside Toronto General Hospital, where a staff member opted for a spot on the front lawn to protest the protest, saying such an event should never happen to a hospital.
“These protests should not happen here,” Dr. ER Raghu Venugopal told 680 NEWS. “All the people who work behind me in this hospital do not pass laws. Laws are passed in Queen’s Park. Not in this hospital. “
“Healthcare workers should be able to do their job without hassle, treated with dignity and treated with respect. This is how we treat the population of this city. We treat all our patients, regardless of the state of the vaccine, with dignity, compassion and respect, and we ask the same of those around us, ”he added.
A sign read “invest in health, not fear and division” and “without division means there is no permission.” Another protester had a sign saying forcing children to wear masks was child abuse.
One person, a counter-protester, arrived at Toronto General Hospital with a sign that on one side read “I demand my right to be ignorant and selfish” and on the other read “I know more than scientists.”
Toronto police say no arrests were made and no charges were filed as a result of the rallies.
This counter-protester has just arrived at Toronto General Hospital with a sign saying “I demand my right to be ignorant and selfish” and “I know more than scientists” pic.twitter.com/13WANeK4Rx
– Adrian Ghobrial (@CityAdrian) September 13, 2021
This scene outside Toronto General Hospital this time begins a protest organized by a group called “Canadian Frontline Nurses” against vaccine warrants. The only nurse who co-founded the group tells the media that she is not anti-vaccine, although today many are clearly there. pic.twitter.com/bvDVjy8z04
– Adrian Ghobrial (@CityAdrian) September 13, 2021
A Toronto hospital says protests against pandemic measures, especially discouraged staff who have treated COVID-19 dying patients. The University Health Network runs Toronto General Hospital, one of the places where demonstrations took place.
“UHN teams have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, often neglecting their own well-being, to protect those most at risk in our community. They have fought to keep the community safe and deserve the same right to safety when they come to work, ”UHN wrote on Twitter.
“Demonstrations outside hospitals not only endanger workers and health personnel, but also patients who come to the hospital to receive care. UHN security teams and Toronto police services are aware and will work to ensure safe access for staff and patients to hospitals. “
Some high-ranking Ontario politicians and major health organizations have issued warnings ahead of the protests, which are expected to take place in hospitals across Canada.
An organization called Canadian Frontline Nurses issued warnings of “silent vigils” that are expected to take place in the ten provinces, saying they are intended to criticize public health measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau says a re-elected government will make it a crime to block access to health facilities. Trudeau says it will also become a crime to intimidate a health worker or medical patient.
“We will make it a criminal offense for anyone to threaten or intimidate a health care professional when they go to work in the practice and exercise of their duty,” Trudeau said Monday. “Or a patient on the way to medical services.”
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“Vaccines are our best defense again COVID-19. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated, as it is the best form of protection against serious illness, hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19, and it will protect our healthcare system from being overwhelmed, ”the UHN continued.
As of today, if you work in the city of Toronto, you will need to report if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The mandatory vaccination policy goes into effect today for Toronto police. TTCs begin the following Monday.
Mayor John Tory says the uptake has been impressive so far, as 97% have been vaccinated in whole or in part.
It still doesn’t say if the staff refuses to lose their jobs.
“We’ve said very clearly that there are no options off the table,” Tory said.
“Expect, both in the case of the Police and all other trade union parties in the city and in the city itself, that it is not necessary to follow this path and that people, after a period of reflection, persuasion, perhaps some peace of mind on the part of the rest of us who have been vaccinated, and most, who will be vaccinated. “
Prime Minister Doug Ford and Mayor Tory today condemned the protests outside hospitals.
Tory says police are aware of the protest plans and will ensure that no health worker is harmed and that all patients can access the hospital.