Mall attendees charged with burglary, causing riot after noon incident
Two people were taken from the Station Mall and detained by police following an incident on Friday afternoon.
Members of Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and mall security approached a group of people seated at a table in the mall’s food court shortly after 12:30 p.m.
One man was heard telling officers and security personnel that he “had no obligation” to share his private medical information.
“Just following orders like the fucking SS, huh?” another person told police.
“We are human beings,” said another. “Why are they treating us like second-class citizens?”
Most of the group dispersed after interaction with officers and security.
One person refused to leave, sitting on the food court floor.
“I will be sitting on the ground, not helping them arrest me at all,” he told officers. “I will not help you.
“You will take me out of here.”
Sault Ste. Marie’s Police Service pulled a man and woman out of the mall as a crowd of passersby, gathered around the perimeter of the food court, cheered.
A screenshot of a social media group obtained by SooToday Friday shows what appears to be a group known as the ‘Sault Ste. Marie Freedom Alliance’ inviting people to the Station Mall food court to “dine without sharing medical information.” .
“We have done this several times to encourage others with the power of non-compliance and to remind everyone that we are human too,” the post reads. “Great opportunity to have open conversations and be within our sovereignty.”
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service spokesman Lincoln Louttit said officers responded when two people were asked to leave the property and repeatedly failed to comply.
They were arrested and charged with trespassing and causing a disturbance.