There was a small education protest at the 64th annual Wiarton Willie Festival.
The protest included Karen Littlewood, Provincial Vice-President (OSSTF) and Julie Stanley the Bluewater Local ETFO President who say they did not feel welcome at the community festival which drew Premier Doug Ford.
Littlewood claims South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Janice Jackson told them the Festival wasn't the place for their cause and said to them, “You people need to go stand on the road if you have signs…that this is a community festival we don't want you to get beat up here”.
Littlewood says Jackson's comments weren't comforting.
Following the request by Jackson the group says they turned their signs around, but felt the extra presence of security guards standing near them was “disconcerting”.
“I'm not on strike against the community of Wiarton,” says Littlewood.
“It's a protest saying we're here to protect the children, not just of Ontario… of Wiarton as well.”
Mayor Janice Jackson says Littlewoods comments were “somewhat true” and the protest signs they were holding “disturbed” her.
“I did ask them to move onto the road,” adding, “It's a community celebration and we were all there to celebrate Wiarton and Wiarton Willie.”
She went on to say it was nice Premier Doug Ford could join the celebration.
She adds it was unfortunate the protesters were there but she was glad that it wasn't widespread and everyone in attendance had respect for Wiarton.
Julie Stanley Bluewater Local ETFO President says the group was there to get Premier Fords attention.
“If this is where we need to come to show him that we're not happy with the way his government is treating educators in Ontario then that's what we will do.”
Overall Jackson said the protest did not dampen the spirit of the day, but says protesters were rude to town staff.
She adds the groundhog is back in his in-door/outdoor enclosure at Bluewater Park in Wiarton which is designed by the Toronto Zoo.