Demonstration in Ottawa | Over 50 incidents reported, including 11 hate crimes

(Ottawa) The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is investigating about 50 incidents, including 11 alleged hate crimes, that have allegedly taken place for more than a week as part of a protest by truckers against health measures near Parliament Hill.

“The police have responded to more than 400 calls for service in connection with the demonstrations since their beginning,” said the police force in a tweet on Saturday, inviting citizens to denounce hate crimes in particular.

As of Saturday, more than 50 criminal offenses were under investigation. “Seven people were arrested and 70 traffic tickets were issued,” the OPS said.

Four people faced charges, but authorities did not specify the nature of the charges.

Dubbed “the Freedom Convoy” by event organizers, the rally picked up momentum over the weekend as protesters began to leave Ottawa in the days leading up to it.

Authorities estimate that 500 heavy vehicles associated with the protest were in the city center on Saturday.

In a demonstration of solidarity in Toronto, drill trucks and tractors closed traffic at a major intersection on Saturday before finally leaving the scene in the evening.

Police have arrested a 22-year-old man accused of lighting a smoke bomb during a protest near the Ontario Legislature.