About a dozen people upset by provincial cuts to legal aid gathered for a rally outside Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey's office on Christina Street Tuesday.
The demonstration was one of many held across the province.
Community Legal Assistance Sarnia Executive Director Andrew Bolter said the cuts by the Doug Ford government diminish access to justice.
"We're here to speak out and say enough is enough, we do not accept what you're doing Mr. Ford and we want you to change what you're doing and stop picking on people who can't defend themselves," Bolter said when addressing the crowd.
Bolter said the concept that everyone is equal before the law and has a right to basic justice is eroding.
"I think this cut that the Ford government made was deliberate. It was deliberate because what it effectively does, is decapitate the voice and the rights of the least advantaged in our community. We're talking about our brothers and sisters who are disabled, our brothers and sisters who are low income, our brothers and sisters who are living in terrible housing conditions or can't afford rents."
Bolter said legal aid is being targeted because they help people fight back and speak out against government decisions.
Clinic paralegal Karen Mathewson said they're fighting to maintain the services they offer.
"There are some people in the government that are construing this as us just trying to save our jobs. It's not about saving our jobs. We're going to be ok. It's about the services we provide for people in our community, that's what's important. That's why we're here."
A group has gathered outside Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey’s office on Christina Street in Sarnia to protest cuts to legal aid. #SLont pic.twitter.com/I6zB6AsgDA
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) July 30, 2019
