Canadian police announced on Saturday that they had arrested 47 anti-vaccination protesters in the capital Ottawa, a day after the protest that has been going on for weeks turned violent.
Municipal, provincial and federal police began an operation on the morning of last Friday (18) to remove protesters, their trucks and cars, which were blocking the streets. At the time, more than 100 people were arrested and 21 vehicles towed. Another 38 cars had already been removed previously. Wellington Street, in front of Parliament, was opened.
Tensions between Canadian officials and protesters have been raging for weeks as mobs and truckers swarm the capital demanding the lifting of preventive measures against Covid-19, including mask and vaccination requirements.
“Protesters continue to be aggressive towards the police. They are refusing to comply with orders to move,” police said. “You will have seen officers use a chemical in an effort to stop aggressive behavior and for your safety.”
Authorities said they arrested protesters with smoke grenades, fireworks and wearing ballistic vests. Grenades and fireworks were also found in a vehicle.
“A protester threw a gas canister and was arrested,” Ottawa police said. “We were slow and methodical, but you were aggressive and aggressive with the cops and the horses. Based on their behavior, we are responding by including helmets and batons for our safety.”
More than 100 checkpoints remain on the border to prevent more protesters from entering the city. Parliament was under a “guard and protect” order, similar to a lockdown. A debate on the Emergencies Act, which had been halted on Friday, also resumed, according to House Speaker Anthony Rota.
The Emergencies Act – which is in effect for the first time since it was passed in 1988 – may provide for the use of the military, but not necessarily lead to it. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is not bringing in troops.
US braces for anti-vaccine protests in Washington
One of the main purposes of Trudeau’s invocation of the Emergencies Act is to help reduce funding for Ottawa protesters, officials said.
The prime minister pointed out that some people in the United States, as well as elsewhere, are raising funds for the protesters.
“We see that approximately half of the funding that is coming in for the demonstrations comes from the US. The aim of all measures, including financial ones in the Emergencies Act, is to deal only with the current threat and get the situation fully under control.”
Meanwhile, US officials are concerned that similar riots could erupt in Washington, DC, as President Joe Biden prepares for his March 1 State of the Union address.
Source: CNN Brasil
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