(OTTAWA) Police authorities began their targeted interventions in the downtown area of Ottawa Friday morning, around 8 a.m., to put an end to the occupation of demonstrators and truckers which has now lasted for 22 days.
Posted at 9:16 a.m.
Updated at 10:15 a.m.
Snipers were notably positioned on the roof of the Ottawa Art Gallery at the start of the day, was able to observe The Press. Dozens of police officers were also on the line, ready to intervene, just in front of the University of Ottawa. A police drone also hovered over the protesters.
In the city center, several police intervention vehicles were also on the lookout. Most of the media have also been crammed into one area, surrounded by a dozen police officers blocking their circulation. “All media in the area are asked to keep their distance,” Ottawa police said on their Twitter account shortly before 10 a.m. Anyone found in the police operations area may be subject to arrest. »
From the start of the day, the police advised the demonstrators “to leave immediately” and had advised them of a “heavy police presence on Nicholas Street”. “Some protesters surrender and are arrested. We call on protesters to remain peaceful and legal,” she said.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Dozens of police officers were ready to intervene, just in front of the University of Ottawa.
Earlier, the police force had warned that there would be “an increased police presence downtown”. “We know this can be distressing for some residents. Officers are there to ensure your safety. To the demonstrators, the authorities hammered again: “You expose yourself to serious penalties if you do not cease your illegal activities and do not immediately remove your vehicles and your property from all sites of illegal demonstrations”.
The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa has not had to take any children into care at this time.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Ottawa police had warned that there would be “an increased police presence downtown.”
Thursday evening, the police had begun to make targeted arrests. Two key organizers of the “freedom convoy”, Chris Barber and Tamara Lich, were arrested. Mr. Barber faces multiple counts of counseling to commit mischief, counseling to commit the offense of disobeying a court order and counseling to obstruct the police. Mme Lich faces a charge of counseling to commit mischief.
A perimeter has been erected around the city center and the police have created a secure zone that stretches for several kilometres. Citizens who wanted to enter the city center had to be patient. The Press had to cross a dozen police roadblocks. “Are you sure you want to go there?” asked an agent.
IMAGE PROVIDED BY OTTAWA POLICE
A perimeter has been erected around the city center and the police have created a secure zone that stretches for several kilometres.
The House of Commons where the debate on the emergency measures taken by the government was to be held is not sitting because of the police operation. A memo from Speaker Anthony Rota sent to MPs says anyone not in the parliamentary precinct should stay away until further notice.
He adds that anyone already present in the federal enclosure must remain in the buildings and await further instructions from parliamentary security. The debate which was to be held in the Senate, located near the area where the police operation began, was also canceled.
On Wellington Street, opposite the parliament, many generators were running at full speed to heat the trucks and tents that house the demonstrators. A few were busy shoveling the square near the Terry Fox statue.
On Thursday, Acting Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell announced that law enforcement was preparing to put their plan into action to end the “unlawful protest” on downtown streets. “We have increased our resources, developed clear plans and are preparing to act,” he said at a press conference. “Intervention is imminent. »
Mr Bell then addressed the protesters directly. “Don’t come to our downtown area,” he said. We’ve had enough of what’s going on there, we’ve had enough of what’s on our streets, so go away. The interim chief said the weekend was going to be “very different from the last three” in the region.
With Mélanie Marquis and Joël-Denis Bellavance