Sarnia police say people carrying clothes affiliated with an outlaw motorbike gang tried to put wreaths on the metropolis’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday.
Throughout the downtown occasion hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion, at Veterans Park, registered organizations and people had been invited to put inexperienced wreaths on the Cenotaph.
Police mentioned the wreaths are a part of the fundraising completed by the Legion to host these occasions, and it ensures they’re respectful and uniform of their look.
As soon as the bearers fashioned a line to put their wreaths, it is alleged the suspects inserted themselves into the wreath laying line.
Police mentioned they had been carrying clothes affiliated with an outlaw motorbike gang and carrying a black wreath of their membership colors.
Legion members requested them to go away however they allegedly refused and officers had been requested to intervene.
Members of the Sarnia Police Service mounted on a rooftop close to Veterans Park. November 11, 2024. (Submitted picture)
In a media launch, police mentioned the suspects refused, by means of the loud use of foul and abusive language, disrupting the solemnity of the Remembrance Day ceremony.
Police shortly moved them to the roadway the place their disruptive conduct continued, and so they had been every taken into custody.
Arthur Shura, 64, of Sarnia has been charged with inflicting a disturbance and breaching a court docket order. Karen Pelkie, 46, of Sarnia has been charged with inflicting a disturbance, and resisting arrest.
Each suspects had been launched with situations and can seem on the Ontario Courtroom of Justice in Sarnia on December 12.
Charges towards the accused haven’t been confirmed in court docket.
Sarnia Legion Department 62 posted an announcement on its Fb web page on Monday.
“The Royal Canadian Legion has instituted a nationwide coverage that states the carrying of OMC (Outlaw Motorbike Membership) or road gang colors shouldn’t be permitted at Legion occasions and premises, as that is opposite to the Legion’s Articles of Religion and disrespectful of the sacrifices made by our Veterans,” learn the assertion. “You will need to acknowledge that motorbike membership members, such because the Legion Riders, do loads of supportive work for the Legion and in communities throughout the nation. All motorbike riders are nonetheless welcome at Legion branches and occasions, however the brand new coverage means outlaw motorbike members would want to take away their colors first.”
Arrest made through the Remembrance Day service in downtown Sarnia. November 11, 2024. (Submitted picture)
