Canada: Police try to return capital to normal after protests

Canadian police have intervened and are working to bring the capital back to normal today, following the occupation of downtown Ottawa by trucks and anti-pandemic protesters for more than three weeks.

The attempt to empty the center of the protesters and their vehicles started yesterday Friday (local time) and continued during the night.

Four of the main organizers were detained and more than 100 protesters were arrested. Hundreds of police officers, including on horseback, lined up and removed them from their vehicles.

There were several moments of tension. Some protesters were forcibly removed from their vehicles. Police officers dropped to the ground and immobilized others who resisted the advancement of police forces.

The police reported in a communication that some protesters have shown “aggressive behavior” and made police officers were developed at the point to “create a blank” between the police forces and protesters.

The protesters initially demanded the lifting of the mandatory vaccination measure for truck drivers crossing the border. But the mobilization quickly escalated, turning into a wider protest against the government and Prime Minister Justin Trinto.

“Our demands are not ridiculous. We want the abolition of compulsory and lockdowns,” said Gord of Manitoba, a truck driver who said he could no longer work due to the need for cross-border vaccination. Yesterday, he said he would stay in his vehicle outside Parliament until he was arrested.

Trinto on Monday invoked the law on emergency measures in order to give the authorities wider powers to end the protests.

Police set up 100 checkpoints on roads around the city center yesterday, denying access to those who have no legal reason to enter as well as preventing them from entering vehicles with food and fuel. Authorities said 21 vehicles were towed yesterday.

Source: AMPE