Yesterday during the Hottest Street Sale in Owen Sound, an older woman stopped by the children’s chalk drawing tent and helped herself to the chalk to write in large letters ‘FREE TAMARA LICH’. After she left the area, the words were covered with rainbows.

When the woman made her way by the tent a second time and noticed her message had been covered up, she questioned the young volunteer and proceeded to write the message again.

There were picnic tables provided next to the tent for parents to take a break while their young children had fun drawing with chalk in the shade. The woman loudly announced that she was going to sit at the table and make sure the message wasn’t covered up again, discussing with her the table mates that she “couldn’t believe someone would do that” and occasionally glaring at me, the young volunteer and the toddlers and children drawing under the tent. 

I asked her to stop, telling the woman that this was a children’s play area and not the place for political statements. The older woman accused us of covering up the message, and angrily pointed at the young volunteer. When she was again reminded that the area was for children and families, she  shouted “Oh go put on your mask”.

I’d suggest people stay in their lane and refrain from hijacking children’s activities at street fairs with political opinions - whatever the viewpoint -  it’s not the place.

Jessica Jensen Graham, Owen Sound