Partiers fill Waterloo streets on St. Patrick’s Day weekend as injunction continues

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St. Patrick's Day parties rage on in Waterloo despite injunction

Partiers begin to fill Waterloo street for St. Patrick's Day festivities amid court injunction

Seas of green could be seen on Saturday afternoon in and around Marshall St. as students partied for St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Despite an on-going injunction order, granted to the City of Waterloo by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, students celebrated outside in green and shamrock covered outfits and drinks in their hands.

Heavy rains early in the day cleared up mostly by around noon, allowing party plans to continue, as people hit the streets, looking to have some fun.

“I’d say it’s going pretty well, I’m having a great time here,” said one party-goer.

A portion of Marshall Street was closed off as it filled with partiers, Ontario Provincial Police officers, bylaw officers and members of Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) as well as their vehicles lining the street.

“It’s been beautiful, we’re ready to get started,” said one student. “We hope the injunction doesn’t stop us from having a safely gathered, fun time.”

Ahead of the weekend, Waterloo Regional Police Service warned those who don’t follow the injunction order could be arrested, held in custody and charged for violating a court order.

Another party-goer disagreed with the legal measures taken against St. Patrick’s Day parties in Waterloo.

“Every one you’re looking at right here is a criminal under the law which I think is quite wrong,” she said.

“People are going to have fun no matter what, so whatever [they] do isn’t really going to stop anything,” said another partier.

WRPS told CTV News in an email they “are working to disperse the crowd and have additional resources on hand to assist.”

The injunction lasts from Friday, March 14 at 12:00 a.m., to Monday, March 17 at 11:59 p.m.