The arrest of Calgarian Ocean Wiesblatt for playing a game of pick-up hockey during a lockdown continues to make waves across Canada..Three people in London, Ontario claiming to be relatives issued a statement on social media blasting Ocean for his apparent “privilege” and insinuating that he only refused to comply because the arresting officers were women..After a botched attempt to arrest Ocean that saw the two officers fail repeatedly to take the largely non-resistant 21-year-old to the ground, he was eventually put in handcuffs and had his skates cut off. He was charged with obstruction, resisting arrest and breaching a public health order..But in a Facebook post signed by three people claiming to be Ontario relatives, Ocean was painted as a privileged villain..“Ocean was being fined for not complying with COVID19 regulations, which resulted in criminal charges of refusal to provide identification and obstruction of justice. We DO NOT support his actions towards the two female officers and protesting regulations,” said the statement signed by David Wiesblatt, Kayla Wiesblatt and Jeanine Gingras Wiesblatt..“There is a substantial amount of privilege here in that compliance would have resulted in a fine that could be contested in court.”.“Furthermore, the choices made subsequent; to partner with alt-right news with a history of pseudo-nazism and oppressing minorities for publicity (Rebel News) do not align with our morals or values. We will not be signing any petitions to support this. Lastly, we are disappointed that it has come to us needing to make a public statement about our family. Please stay safe.”.During the time the video was taken – a total of four-minutes and forty seconds – the police officers failed to respond to Ocean’s questions about what law he was breaking or was being charged with..It is unconstitutional for police to make an arrest in Canada without disclosing the charges being laid when asked in most circumstances..Provincial restrictions state that outdoor physical activities are still permitted for people from different households if the number does not exceed 10 people and individuals maintain two meters distance..The incident has generated huge social media commentary with people taking both sides of the controversy..The four Wiesblatt brothers and their deaf, single mother who raised them, were featured in an intermission feature last year on Rogers Hometown Hockey..“It’s a disgraceful affront to human dignity,” said John Carpay, head of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) in an interview with the Western Standard about the incident..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
