Grab some snacks and sit down because I’m about to spill some major Toronto TEA. Do you remember when Doug Ford said he was reluctant to bring forward vaccine passports in an effort to avoid dividing the people? Well I don’t want to crush his spirits buttttt he has done exactly that with his recent absence in controlling the anti-vaxxers and their disturbing protests.
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If you’ve been wandering the city streets over the past few weeks, you may have even been unlucky enough to encounter some of these loud, invasive and aggressive protests! Now, don’t get me wrong, everyone in Canada has the right to peaceful protest but let’s not forget that right is exercised within REASONABLE LIMITS! Is it unreasonable if your protest is defaming a business and putting people’s lives at risk due to your unwillingness to be vaccinated?
Anti-Vax Protests
For weeks now, we have been targeted by loud, misguided, hugely invasive anti-vaxxers at Hoofland on Saturday nights. I am in ~shock~ that @JohnTory & @fordnation are leaving us to deal w/ this—ZERO help from cops, by-laws or…anything at all. An abandonment of leadership. pic.twitter.com/8hlv4FxaYo
— Jen Agg (@TheBlackHoof) August 22, 2021
Here we go again; restaurateurs are getting the short end of the pandemic stick. Jen Agg has spoken out that two of her restaurants in the city have been directly targeted by aggressive protestors for the past four weeks. The anti-vaxxers have been seen shouting, holding signs that accuse vaccine passports as police watch, banging pots and pans and directly targeting Agg and her staff with screams for hours on end.
I am in shock that [Toronto Mayor] John Tory and [Ontario Premier] Doug Ford are leaving us to deal with this—zero help from cops, by-laws or…anything at all. An abandonment of leadership
Jen agg
We know we have the right as Canadians to protest peacefully but we also have the legal obligation not to cause a disturbance. I think it’s safe to say calling someone a “nazi” is causing a disturbance, no? Am I alone on this one? Well, I may not be completely alone because although Doug Ford and John Tory was nowhere to be found when this was first reported, Canada’s fav Dan Levy stepped in!
Dan Levy Steps In
“Ew, David! The anti-vaxxers are sabotaging the livelihood of restaurant owners!”…I hope you’ve watched Schitts Creek and read this with the right tone. Jokes aside, on August 23 Dan Levy took to twitter voicing his concern about the recent protests.
There’s choosing not to get the vaccine and then there’s this. Disturbing the peace, violating patrons’ personal space, and actively sabotaging the livelihood of restaurant owners? Something needs to be done, Toronto. cc @JohnTory @fordnation. https://t.co/iyzPfEofa2
— dan levy (@danjlevy) August 23, 2021
Levy is respectful of people’s choice to be vaccinated but he notes that there’s a difference between choice and aggressive protests. People are seen attempting to eat at Bar Vendetta’s patio an arms length from the screaming; talk about a relaxing dinner. Both John Tory and Doug Ford are tagged in Levy’s tweet and this caused enough hype to warrant a response from Tory (finally).
John Tory Enters The Chat
Now things are getting juicy; we’ve got a room full of Jen Agg, Dan Levy AND John Tory. It looks like the only person missing is Doug Ford… but he’s probably golfing.
According to Tory’s letter, he advocates for a proof of vaccination system that will “help restaurants, other businesses and ultimately schools stay open”. He wants to do everything in his power to avoid another lockdown (fingers crossed). He also acknowledges the bad behavior displayed by the protestors and mentions that although it is not his responsibility to direct police enforcement, there is a time that protest crosses the line into mischief.
In a time like this, restaurants need our support, not our harassment.