Law groups 'alarmed' over arrest of lawyer outside Ford rally near Hamilton airport

The Criminal Lawyers' Association and Women In Canadian Criminal Defence (WICCD)are criticizing the arrestof a Toronto-based lawyernear an Ontario Progressive Conservativecampaign stop in Hamilton last Thursday.

"We are alarmed that any citizen, let alone a member of our profession, would be treated by police seemingly on behalf of an elected official with such disregard for the electoral process and the right to exercise free speech.Both are cornerstones of our democracy," read the joint statement released Monday.

Sa'dsaid last weekshetried to enter a rally for PC Leader Doug Ford near the Hamilton airport. She said she RSVP'dto attendthe event, but staff didn't allow her inside and theycalled the police on her for trespassing.

She was eventually arrestedbefore being released off the property and given a ticket for trespassing.

Hamilton police initiallysaid she was arrested for blocking off a road and being on private property amida protest.

Sa'd and the group that organized the protest said that wasn'ttrue. They said shewas not part of the group protesting and was arrested well before any protest occurred.

Sa'd said she believes she wasn't allowed entry into the event and was eventually arrested because of her criticism of Ford and other political leaders. She has a large social media presence for hercartoons and videos that criticizepoliticians and people protesting public health measures.

On Monday afternoon, Hamilton police released a "clarification,"sayingSa'dwas asked to leave the event and when she didn't comply, she was arrested, released off property andfined for trespassing.

"After looking more closely at the incident, we felt a clarification was necessary with respect to the reason for the arrest," police spokesperson Jackie Penman told CBC Hamilton, adding the matter is before the courts.

Penmansaid officers acted under theTrespass to Property Act. She didn't answer questions about whether officers made their own assessment before making the arrestor if they were acting solely on a complaint byPC or event representatives.

The PC Party declined to answer questionsfrom CBC Hamilton both Monday and last week about the incident.

'Chilling effect' on BIPOC communities: law groups

Whenasked about the incidentat a Friday campaign stop, Ford did not directly address the question of whether he supported the arrest or ticket.

"I want to thank the Hamilton police.They always have a challenging job," he said in response.

The lawyers' association and WICCDsaid Sa'd has never been violent when attending political rallies and other events, but has been asked to leave PC gatherings in the past.

They say that shows she was refused entry and ultimately charged because her political views don't align with the PCs.

"Those who seek public office must remember the will of the people and the right to political dissent. We reject the use of the criminal justice system, a blunt tool, as a method of stifling such dissent," said the law groups.

They also said the factSa'd is a woman of colourwill have a "chilling effect" on equity-seeking communities.