(Ottawa) Protesters and vehicles continued to block traffic overnight in the federal capital, the Ottawa Police Service said Sunday morning.
Posted at 10:15 a.m.
Originally planned to be a protest against the compulsory vaccination of truckers to cross the Canada-US border, the demonstration turned into a rally against Justin Trudeau and all the measures taken to fight against COVID-19.
The police had to confront protesters several times, including truckers who sporadically blocked access to the roads, but they solved the problems without making any arrests.
Several protests planned to remain in downtown Ottawa on Sunday. It is not known when the convoy of trucks will leave the scene and protesters have indicated that they intend to pursue their demands there until all their demands are met.
Sitting in his truck, Scott Ocelak is one of those who warned that he intended to stay there until Tuesday.
Ottawa police say they will maintain heavy manning in all locations occupied by protesters. Its main objective will be to keep the peace, establish safe routes for emergency vehicles and respond to any threatening behavior.
National monuments will be protected. Barriers have been installed to prevent vehicles from entering the driveway in front of the National War Memorial.
The authorities condemned the “profanations” that took place at this place on Saturday. Videos have been released showing protesters jumping on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“I am appalled to see protesters dancing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and desecrating the National War Memorial,” wrote Chief of the Defense Staff General Wayne Eyre. Generations of Canadians have fought and died for our rights, including free speech, but not for this. Those involved should be ashamed. »
Other protesters hung an inverted Canadian flag and anti-vaccine placard over the statue of Terry Fox, a young Canadian who died of cancer after crossing the country in a marathon with a prosthetic right leg below his amputated knee , to make Canadians aware of the importance of financially supporting cancer research.
The gesture of the demonstrators aroused a wave of indignation.
Elected officials have also denounced those who displayed Nazi symbols and Confederate flags, which recall the period of slavery in the United States, deploring a great lack of judgment.
Ottawa residents have again been advised to avoid travel downtown where there are still a number of truckers and other protesters who oppose sanitary measures to fight COVID-19 .