Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec: Opponents of restrictive measures taken to stem the spread of the covid-19 pandemic, some of whom have been occupying the federal capital of Canada for a week, intend to protest again today in several cities. country.
The protests, part of a truck driver protest movement, turned into an occupation of Ottawa: for eight days now, the streets in front of parliament and the office of Prime Minister Justin Trinto have been occupied by dozens of trucks and protesters.
Some have started to set up makeshift shelters and say they will not leave unless the restrictions are lifted first.
Yesterday Friday, for the first time, the police used a strict language towards protesters, promising “to end this illegal demonstration,” as the chief of Peter Slory said.
Sholly, who complained that he and other officials had received death threats, likened the protest to the January 6, 2021 uprising in Washington, D.C., when thousands of supporters of former US President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol.
He described the blockade as “unprecedented” in Canada, and warned that hundreds more truck drivers were planning to enter Ottawa over the weekend.
“It remains (…) an increasingly fluid and dangerous demonstration,” Sloly said. Protesters in central Ottawa “remain very organized, well funded and determined to resist any attempt to end the protest safely,” he added.
Until now, Ottawa police have maintained a discreet stance as some protesters smashed windows, threatened journalists, health workers and even members of minorities.
At the same time, the anger of the people of Ottawa is increasing, while a petition demanding the removal of the protesters from the police had gathered until yesterday afternoon almost 40,000 signatures.
Trinto has so far ruled out sending troops to oust the protesters.
In view of the new weekend mobilizations an additional 150 police officers will be developed on the streets of the Federal Capital, while bridges and motorways have been closed as approximately 2,000 other protesters are expected, according to the police. At the same time, it is expected that about a thousand “protesters” will gather in the city.
So far no one was able to send in the perfect solution, which is not strange. Some have gone so far as to call for Trinto to resign because, he claims, he has exceeded his authority by imposing restrictions on the pandemic.
“We will stay as long as it takes to get rid of the restrictions,” said Jim Thorma, one of the organizers of the rally, who added that he was expecting “tens of thousands” of people on the streets of Ottawa today.
One week after receiving the support of billionaire Elon Musk, Trump yesterday backed truck drivers who “protested peacefully against the harsh policies of the far-left Justin Trinto, who has ruined Canada with its irrationality.”
Similar demonstrations are planned in Alberta and in the cities of Winnipeg, Toronto and Quebec.
In Alberta, western Canada, where truckers are blocking major highways leading to the United States, Prime Minister Jason Kenny said ministers would meet earlier this week to begin lifting restrictions.
“We can and must continue to live our lives, restore our freedoms and live with joy, not fear,” he wrote on Twitter.
Canadian authorities are now investigating those who “finance and facilitate this illegal and harassing demonstration,” Sloaney said.
A fundraising campaign through the GoFundMe website has allowed the protest organizers to raise more than $ 10 million (€ 7 million). Part of that money comes from the United States, according to police.
However, the platform suspended the campaign yesterday, Friday, saying that it does not comply with its regulations. He added that donors have until February 19 to ask for their money back, after which GoFundMe “will work with the organizers to donate the remaining money to reputable and well-known charities.”
Although the mobilization of truck drivers is supported by the minority of Canadians (32% according to a recent poll), this percentage far exceeds the 10% of Canadians who have not been vaccinated.
The measures adopted by the provinces of Canada remain particularly restrictive. Mostly Quebec is one of the areas in the world that has imposed the most lockdown days.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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