More than a thousand demonstrators gathered on Parliament Hill were jubilant when the first convoy of truckers arrived on Saturday morning.
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Flags of Canada, of the patriots, of Quebec as well as unfriendly slogans towards the media were visible from 9 a.m. on René-Lévesque Boulevard.
The demonstrators, whose numbers were growing minute by minute, were impatiently awaiting the imminent arrival of the Beauce convoy.
The latter arrived at its destination around 10:15 a.m., with about forty semi-trailers and trucks. All parked along René-Lévesque Boulevard, they formed a line nearly a kilometer long.
But the entire convoy, including vehicles of all kinds, stretches over nearly 4 km.
The crowd then became ecstatic, shouting “freedom!” and “fuck Legault!” to anyone who wants to hear it, through the sound of the trumpets.
Photo Jeremy Bernier
In front of the National Assembly, a flag of the American conspiracy group Qanon is placed high, alongside the flag of the Patriots and that of Canada.
The authorities said they were ready for any eventuality, in the morning, and wished to avoid any confrontations. Miles of cones have also been installed in the upper town to prevent expected demonstrators from compromising traffic.
“All the parameters have been taken into account and we have the necessary staff to supervise the event. We want to ensure everyone’s safety,” said David Pelletier, spokesperson for the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ).
Photo Nicolas Lachance
Vehicles are parked all over Parliament Hill, many in prohibited places, such as the bus stop in front of the Grand Theater on Turnbull Street.
Remember that 34 statements of offense were issued Friday evening in connection with road safety and 6 others under a municipal by-law.
Although the atmosphere is all friendly for the moment, several demonstrators have expressed great anger towards government authorities.
Photo Nicolas Lachance
Vehicles are parked all over Parliament Hill, many in prohibited places (see photo), such as the bus stop in front of the Grand Theater on Turnbull Street.
“Quebecers are peaceful people, but we can’t take it anymore. I have put my foot down on my tabernacle. That’s not my Quebec! “, launched with anger Bruno Cossette, who also went to the Ottawa headquarters this week.
Photo Nicolas Lachance
People brought their chemical toilets. Here it is behind the Grand Théâtre.
The Tourny fountain is split in two. On the one hand, the demonstrators solemnly listen to the Canadian national anthem, before moving on to the tunes of Guns N Roses.
On the other, Carnival visitors line up to discover Bonhomme’s palace with a backdrop of Quebec music, protected by security guards.
Congestion in the area
Quebec City is cut in two. Upper town is paralyzed. The convoy of several kilometers monopolizes the whole of René-Lévesque Boulevard and a section of Laurier Boulevard eastbound, to the sound of horns.
It is mostly SUVs and 4X4s that are heading to Parliament Hill.
There are currently 67 trucks on René-Lévesque between Avenue Honoré-Mercier and the Grand Théâtre. The police allow them to park in the right-hand lanes heading east. Three lanes of traffic are closed eastbound. Traffic remains possible and relatively fluid on one lane in each direction.
Kevin “Big” Grenier, one of the organizers of the Côte-Nord convoy, has just spoken in front of the Tourny fountain.
He invites the supporters of the demonstration to show good citizenship.
“And if ever there’s a policeman who isn’t nice to you, get your phones out. After that, we have lawyers coming and we’ll take him to court! “, he launched, before chanting “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! “.
For the moment, the authorities do not deplore any significant overflow linked to the movement.
– With the collaboration of Nicolas Lachance and Dominique Lelièvre.
More information to come…
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