The truckers’ protest that has been disrupting the federal capital since Friday has been called ‘unprecedented’, ‘intolerable’, ‘dangerous’ and ‘unlawful’ by Ottawa police, who expect the situation to escalate. again this weekend.
“Most of the protesters have left. What remains is a very determined and very volatile core of [manifestants] illegal,” said Ottawa Police Acting Deputy Chief Trish Ferguson.
In addition to the incessant horns and the smell of diesel fuel that has enveloped the city of Ottawa for six days now, law enforcement officials have drawn up a grim assessment of the “freedom convoy” demonstration, during a update before elected municipal officials on Wednesday. Many illegal activities have taken place in Ottawa, including hateful acts, loud noises, and “a climate of fear” for local residents and businesses.
“The longer the protest lasts, the greater the risk to public safety,” said capital police chief Peter Sloly, who said “all options are on the table” to end the protest. event.
helpless police
He adds, however, that the police feel powerless to put an end to the event, since a confrontation with the truckers could pose serious risks to public safety, such as a riot. For example, he says police action against another trucker protest at the Alberta border by the RCMP proved counterproductive and very risky when truckers defied authorities on Tuesday.
“We have very little authority to negotiate on all the demands of the demonstration. […] There might not be a police solution,” he argues.
The police pointed to the poor cooperation of truckers with their requests to move from the clogged arteries of the city center. They suggest that the situation will continue for a long time, with other demonstrators expected as reinforcements for the weekend, and an anticipated presence of counter-demonstrators raising fears of a risk to public safety.
City councilors have described the situation in Ottawa as an “occupation”, a “siege”, and a “hostage taking” of the population. City councilor Mathieu Fleury, who represents the Rideau-Vanier district, where part of the demonstration is taking place, says he personally received threats on social networks.
He recalled that a major shopping center in downtown Ottawa, the Rideau Centre, has made the decision to close its doors until Sunday.
Well funded event
Chief Sloly called the convoy “for freedom” “unprecedented”, not least because it has an extraordinary source of funding, part of which is said to come from the United States.
The president of the Ottawa Police Services Board, Diane Deans, has also mentioned that governments could try to seize the funds raised on GoFundMe. As of this writing, the crowdfunding campaign has raised over $10 million.
The organizers of the convoy of truckers who have been camped in front of Parliament and the surrounding area since Friday evening said on Wednesday that they intended to stay put “as long as necessary”. They want all the governments of the country, including those of the provinces, to abandon all health measures related to COVID-19.
The head of the GoFundMe campaign on Wednesday claimed the presence of tens of thousands of participants in her movement. The police rather estimated their number at “a few hundred”.
“We are now well organized and settling in until Canada becomes a free nation again,” Tamara Lich said in a statement.
Third arrest
The organizers say they understand the frustration of the citizens of downtown Ottawa, but blame the consequences of their presence on the politicians who refuse any dialogue.
Ottawa police arrested a third protester from the “freedom convoy” on Wednesday. A 48-year-old Quebecer was charged with uttering threats and suggesting committing criminal acts on social networks, while he was in the federal capital.
Chief Sloly said Wednesday that more arrests are to come. He reiterated that any illegal activity committed during the protest would not be tolerated.