Demonstrators and vehicles continued to block traffic in the federal capital.
Residents of downtown Ottawa could hear a cacophony of car horns. The consequences of these protests were felt beyond Parliament Hill.
The routes of several bus lines have been modified near the Hill. One shopping mall, the Rideau Centre, remained closed.
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 demonstrators several times, in particular truck drivers who sporadically blocked access to the roads, but they defused these situations without making any arrests.
Several demonstrators planned to remain in downtown Ottawa on Sunday. It is not known when the convoy of trucks will leave the scene. Some have indicated that they intend to pursue their demands there until all their demands are met.
Not all protesters are peaceful, as an incident at Shepherds of Hope, an aid organization for the homeless, demonstrated.
The organization’s president and CEO, Deirdre Freiheit, said several protesters showed up at the community dining room on Saturday. They were rude to the staff, demanding to be served.
Food was given to them in order to calm the situation, Ms Freiheit added. However, from now on, meals will only be served to those who really need them.
Ottawa police say they will maintain heavy manning at 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 .