Protest against CPC Candidate Andrew Lawton draws nearly 200 in St. Thomas, Ont.

Talbot Street in St. Thomas saw hundreds of people protesting a controversial candidate’s presence on the federal ballot. CTV London was on the ground.

Close to 200 people lined Talbot Street in St. Thomas, Ont. in front of Conservative Candidate Andrew Lawton’s campaign office.

The event was called the ‘Stand Up for Decency Rally’ with organizer Christine Rudman saying in less than a week, the idea grew.

“I thought it was the only one with the concern, but clearly, I’m not,” said Rudman. “We are concerned for a myriad of reasons, starting with ... he jetted in from another riding and still doesn’t live here and has said he will get an apartment if he wins. He’s really not a part of this community. The other is that he has a super problematic history with Islamophobia, racism, homophobia, and misogyny.”

Dozens of people held signs as vehicles honked in support.

“He responded to our protest and said that he had mental health issues,” said Rudman. “Depression doesn’t equal racism, Islamophobia, or misogyny. And so we don’t believe his apology.”

She doesn’t believe he’s made amends or gone to any communities to discuss the growth he’s made.

“He’s asked us to trust him and that he’s different,” said Rudman. “We don’t trust him. We want representation that represents all the constituents of this community, not just white men, but everybody.”

CTV reached out to Lawton and was referred to a Facebook post dated March 14.