Protest in Peterborough Linked to QAnon Leads to Investigation

Ontario’s civilian police watchdog is looking into an arrest that took place in Peterborough, Ont., on Saturday, resulting in serious injuries during a protest influenced by QAnon. This incident highlights how far-right conspiracy theories can have real consequences in Canada.

A small group of people gathered outside the local police station after a call from a QAnon figure claiming to be the “Queen of Canada,” urging citizens to arrest local officers.

Protester Timothy Claudio stated he was taken into custody after he and others tried to place members of the Peterborough Police Service under citizen’s arrest.

The 55-year-old man, who also participated in Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa earlier this year, claims police used excessive force against him. He mentioned suffering from a punctured lung and four broken ribs – none of which were, as he put it, “part of our plan.”

“That’s why it’s called a peaceful, lawful citizen’s arrest. Because we’re tired of the tyranny within the corporation of Canada,” Claudio said.

Claudio was one of three individuals arrested that day. Peterborough police charged him with two counts of assaulting an officer.

Victim No Longer Assisting Investigation

The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) immediately got involved as part of its duty to investigate violent incidents involving law enforcement. However, just three days later, a spokesperson for the civilian agency stated that Claudio “has ceased co-operation with the SIU investigation.”

“The affected person is encouraged to contact the SIU,” read the statement.

The attempt at a citizen’s arrest on uniformed officers followed by their detention has shaken the city of around 80,000 residents.

Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien reacted to the weekend protest on social media with an exasperated tweet telling QAnon demonstrators to “f–k off, you f–kwads.”
Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien tweeted this about the protest. (@Dianne NTherrien/Twitter)

In an interview with CBC, she mentioned that there’s been “a lot of activity from anti-vax, anti-everything sort of right-wing conspiracy theorists” over recent years.

“This past weekend, there’s a specific group coming into our city with clear intentions to arrest our police officers and cause disruption and harm to our community. Our first responders did an excellent job handling that lunacy,” she said.

“There’s frustration among everyone in town having to deal with this kind of thing repeatedly because it’s not new.”

Another screengrab from social media shows Timothy Claudio being arrested. (Caryma Sa’d/Twitter)

Injuries Reported During Protest

QAnon is an American-inspired conspiracy group led in Canada by Romana Didulo, who calls herself the “Queen of Canada” and has thousands following her online. She visited Peterborough over the weekend as part of a promotional tour across the country.

The beliefs among followers include viewing Canada as a corporation they never agreed to join; seeing COVID-19 vaccines and restrictions as forms of oppression; and believing Didulo is Canada’s “true leader.”

People associated with QAnon have been spreading cease-and-desist letters throughout North America demanding an end to COVID-19 restrictions. Recently they’ve even been encouraged to attempt citizen’s arrests on police officers.

Didulo promoted a campaign titled “Citizen’s Arrest for We The People in The Kingdom Of Canada” through her social media channels and attended this event along with several others in Peterborough.

In this screengrab, Frank Curtin and Timothy Claudio stand near a door to the police station. (Twitter/Caryma Sa’d)

According to Peterborough police reports, when officers arrived for their shift around 4 p. m., they found protesters blocking their path while trying to access a secured entrance at the police station.

The officers attempted to detain one protester when another individual hit two officers; meanwhile another suspect kicked at one rear door while striking an officer according to police accounts.

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A total of three men faced various charges including mischief and assaulting an officer.

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Two men including Claudio were released under certain conditions and are expected back in court later this month.

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When asked what happened that day , Claudio told CBC he felt that law enforcement was on “the wrong side” regarding these matters.

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“And no police officers are seeming to stand with the people or escalate it to the next department to figure out why some people are getting hurt or dying while others aren’t,” he remarked.

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“So that’s why we were there – never mind the pedophilia and everything else going on today,” added Claudio while referencing another conspiracy theory alleging powerful elites abuse children.

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This Kind Of Thinking Is Human Nature

The impact o f QAnon’s ideology remains hard t o measure but it has clearly gained traction alongside rising far-right movements globally both onlineand beyond – including on Canadian soil at local law enforcement facilities.

A report prepared by intelligence officials linked t o Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre during last winter ’ s Freedom Convoy indicated various anti-government figures showed up at those protests including individuals connected t o QAnon alongside Didulo.

“In June 2021 [Didulo] urged her online followers t o kill health professionals , burned Canadian flags , symbolically declaring Ottawa had become ‘The New Kingdom Of Canada,'” noted th e report.

WATCH | Romana Didulo purports t o be th e ‘Queen Of Canada’:

Romana Didulo’s extremist cult: What kind o f threat does it pose?Four followers linked t o Romana Didulo -a conspiracy theorist associated wit h QAnon’s movement-are facing charges for attempting t o put local policemen under citizen’s arrest. Freelance journalist Justin Ling explains wha t makes this group dangerous.

Joseph Uscinski , an expert specializing i n conspiracies warned us instead focusing solely upon fringe chatter populating various platforms , we should understand motivations driving people towards such unsubstantiated ideas :

“These reasons raise some concerns because we’re dealing here largely w ith human nature,” explained Uscinski , who serves as political scientist within Miami University.

“Certain personalities possess narcissistic traits or find themselves unable negotiate conflicts without resorting warfare.”

Uscinski also remarked despite alarming incidents like those occurring surrounding arrests made yesterday – they’re anything but new.

“The less comforting reality reveals some humans naturally exhibit these behaviors ,” Uscinski pointed out emphasizing earlier generations underwent similar experiences involving conspiratorial thoughts stemming from Red Scares , witch hunts, and satanic panics.

He noted how QAnon’s narrative builds upon historic tropes like global influence surrounding alleged pedophilia granting followers autonomy within personal stories woven around heroism.

“Their flaw arises once true believers feel justified carrying out actions based solely upon what seems right,”he continued pointing towards legal ramifications if someone encourages citizens engaging public safety hazards arrests toward law enforcement personnel.

Cops Searching For Additional Suspects

While SIU continues its investigation efforts, Peterborough authorities are still seeking two other individuals related connecte dwith events happening throughout tha tw eekend.

On Saturday afternoon early, onlookers alerted patrolmen regarding counter-protests marking disturbances caused by ripped signs verbal threats against them along w ith masks forcibly removed.

• Police disclosed they’re actively pursuing leads concerning both male female suspects possibly implicated within disturbances experienced.

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