A group of Ontario residents protested their province’s strict new lockdown measures over the weekend by hoisting an upside-down Canadian flag and using lights to issue a Morse code “SOS” signal toward the U.S.
“We are down here in Niagara Falls, Ontario,” a demonstrator said in a video that streamed live on Facebook. “We have a flag upside down in distress. And we are about to Morse code ‘SOS’ across the border to our neighbors. We are asking for help. We are hostages in our province now. We are no longer free to do whatever we want as our Charter allows us.”
Going on to describe Ontario’s government as “tyrannical,” the unidentified man claimed that public health bureaucrats are pulling the “puppet strings” of Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “We’re going to Morse code ‘SOS’ across the border, and somebody even notified the Border Patrol. And they are waiting for this message. So this is what it’s all about, guys. Take action. Take action. Do more than just protest,” he adds.
WATCH:
Canadians in Niagara Falls, Ontario are signalling for help at the U.S.-Canada border tonight using lights to Morse code “SOS” & an upside-down Canadian flag.
An upside-down flag is a universal signal of distress.
The man in the video says “we are hostages in our province now” pic.twitter.com/rEIx3tc8lO
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) April 18, 2021
Last night, Canadians at the U.S.-Canada border in Niagara Falls, Ontario signalled for help using lights to Morse code “SOS”. The group flashed “SOS” for about 3 minutes.
The group also held up a Canadian flag upside-down. An upside-down flag is a universal signal of distress. pic.twitter.com/swS7FVNx0k
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) April 18, 2021
Ontario was met with intense backlash for its new COVID-19 restrictions. As the Westphalian Times reported:
On April 16, the government of Ontario initially announced strict new measures which included new provincial police powers, all outdoor gatherings with people outside your household will be banned, playgrounds closed, nearly all outdoor recreational activities to be restricted, places of worship, funerals and weddings will have a capacity limit of 10 people, non-essential construction will be halted, border-checks will be introduced at the Quebec and Manitoba borders, essential retail locations will be limited to 25% capacity, among many other new restrictions.
Initially, the government of Ontario said that police would be given the authority to ask anyone outside or in a car why they are not at home for the mandated stay-at-home order and the police may ask for their address.
However, after fierce criticism of the new rules, some rules were amended on Saturday, April 17.
Now, police will only be able to stop an individual who they have reason to believe are attending an organized public event or social gathering.
Canada has been drawing international attention and outrage for its lockdown mandates, especially after several viral stories regarding how authorities are treating churches.
Last week, the Provincial Court in Stony Plain, Alberta, ruled that Pastor James Coates, who was jailed earlier this year after holding church services, will not be allowed to challenge the constitutional validity of Alberta’s Public Health Act during his upcoming trial. The court also ruled that the government will not have to produce scientific evidence to support the order.
Canadian MP Derek Sloan responded to the story with outrage, tweeting, “Unbelievable! After 13 months of violating Charter freedoms, the Alberta Government claims they’re unable to gather any evidence to support their actions in time for Pastor Coates May 3rd trial. Didn’t they have any evidence 13 months ago? Clearly not!”
Unbelievable! After 13 months of violating Charter freedoms, the Alberta Government claims they’re unable to gather any evidence to support their actions in time for Pastor Coates May 3rd trial. Didn’t they have any evidence 13 months ago? Clearly not! https://t.co/8kGy6h0kot
— Derek Sloan (@TrueDerekSloan) April 18, 2021
Related: EXCLUSIVE: Pastor And Lawyer Defiant After Canadian Police Raid, Barricade Church At Dawn