Police arrived in large numbers at Ottawa’s Parliament Hill. Workers also put up additional fences around government buildings. To stop protestors from entering the city, police effectively sealed off large swathes of downtown.
Steve Bell, interim Ottawa Police Chief, stated that “the action is imminent.” “We are absolutely committed to ending this unlawful demonstration.”
Just before nightfall on Thursday, police made at least three arrests around Parliament Hill. However, officers weren’t moving forcefully against the protestors. Two police officers were able to see one of the organizers in handcuffs.
Bell stated that police continued to negotiate with protesters, trying to convince them to return home. Bell stated that he wanted the demonstration to end peacefully, but added, “If they don’t leave peacefully, we have plans.”
Many truckers involved in the Freedom Convoy did not seem to be bothered by the days-long warnings of police and government about the danger of arrest, and that their rigs could be seized and their bank accounts frozen.
Pat King, one of their leaders said that he was ready to watch the pepper sprayers hit him with pepper spray. He said that the trucks parked bumper to bumper were not allowed in Canada.
Truckers outside Parliament were blaring their horns in protest of a court order against honking that was issued to benefit residents of the neighborhood.
After weeks of demonstrations and blockades which shut down border crossings to the U.S., caused economic damage on both countries and created an electoral crisis for Trudeau.
Protests have shaken Canada’s reputation for civility, rule-following, and inspired similar convoys in France and New Zealand.
“It’s time for these illegal and dangerous actions to stop,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared in Parliament, just a few blocks from the location of more than 300 trucks.
He stated, “They are a danger to our economy and our relationships with trading partners.” They pose a threat to the safety of the public.
The Ottawa police have begun to lock down large swathes of downtown, and allow only those who reside or work there after passing through more than 100 checkpoints.
The children of the protesters were particularly important to police. Bell stated that police are working with child welfare agencies to find a safe way to remove the children before authorities arrive.
The prime minister invoked Canada’s Emergencies Act to empower law enforcement authorities to declare blockades illegal, remove trucks, arrest drivers, suspend licenses, and take other actions.
Trudeau and several of his top ministers warned the protesters to leave on Thursday. This was an apparent attempt by the government either to prevent a clash or to show that it has gone the extra mile in avoiding one.
Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister, stated that the government had threatened to freeze trucker’s accounts. It is happening. She said that she had the numbers in front.
Ottawa police distributed leaflets again demanding that truckers end their siege. They also placed notices on vehicles to inform owners where and how they can pick up their trucks, if they were towed.
Many Ottawa residents are furious at the occupation.
“We have seen people harassed, intimidated and threatened. Apartment buildings have been locked up. We’ve seen fires lit in corridors. “Residents are terrorized,” stated Marco Mendicino, Canadian Public Safety Minister.
Protests by truckers, tractors, and motor home owners initially focused on Canada’s requirement that truckers enter the country with a vaccine. However, they quickly morphed into an attack on Trudeau’s government and COVID-19 precautions.
The Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, was the most significant blockade at the border. The blockade disrupted the flow and production of auto parts between the two countries, and led to the arrest of dozens of protesters.
On Wednesday, the final blockade in Manitoba was lifted peacefully.
This movement has received support from right wing extremists as well as veterans, some of whom are armed. Authorities have not hesitated to take action against them.
Fox News personalities, as well as conservatives from the United States such Donald Trump, have encouraged protests. Trudeau claimed that the United States is responsible for roughly half of the funding for the barricades.
According to security experts, dispersing the protests in Ottawa could prove difficult and dangerous. There is also the possibility of violence. Some experts suggested that heavy-handed law enforcement could be used by antigovernment extremists as propaganda.
Trucks were parked downtown shoulder to shoulder, with some tires removed to hinder towing.
David Carter, a professor at Michigan State University and a former officer in the police force, said that there is no playbook. I know that there are U.S. police chiefs who are looking into this and creating strategic plans and partnerships to manage protests like this, if they should happen in their cities.
Planning was also complicated by the presence of children. Canadian Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair stated that, as a showdown loomed, “This is not the place for children who are with their children.” You must take them home immediately.
