(Ottawa) Canadians are “shocked and disgusted” by the hateful words or gestures of a “small marginalized minority” that have been observed on the streets of Ottawa since the arrival of the “freedom convoy”, but ” we are not intimidated, ”said the Prime Minister of Canada.
Posted at 12:12 p.m.
Updated at 12:56 p.m.
“We are not intimidated” by people who hurl racist insults, who desecrate monuments, or who “steal meals from the homeless”, hammered Justin Trudeau at a press conference from a residence where he was moved for security reasons, due to the presence of the “freedom convoy”.
He condemned the desecration of the Terry Fox statue and the National War Memorial, and the use of hateful symbols, such as the swastika, and the fact that protesters stole meals intended for homeless people. fixed by knocking on the door of the Shepherds of Hope.
It is “not by demonstrating”, but by getting vaccinated that we will put an end to the pandemic, launched the Prime Minister, attacking in passing “a small marginalized minority” who “grunts”, by denouncing politicians who “exploit people’s fears”.
“Everyone is frustrated”, but what has been played out since last Friday in the streets of the city center is not the story of this pandemic, insisted Justin Trudeau, who has shown no intention of meeting the demonstrators who have taken up residence in front of the parliament.
The Prime Minister, who announced he and two of his children had tested positive for HIV, also would not say whether he would like to see protesters cleared by forces who have been patrolling the streets since Friday , unlike Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and city councillors.
On the other hand, he argued that Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole should “think seriously” about the course of action to follow. It is “not planned” that he will hold a press conference on Monday, according to what was indicated to his office.
Several of its deputies have given their stamp of approval to the movement. A few, including Michael Cooper and Leslyn Lewis were spotted on the streets of Ottawa over the weekend, while Pierre Poilievre reiterated his support for the rally on social media.
Singh invites to leave
Before Justin Trudeau took the floor, New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh had invited the demonstrators to pack up. He condemned the outbursts that occurred over the weekend, and argued that the citizens of Ottawa felt held hostage long enough.
There is no press conference by Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet scheduled for Monday.
Parliamentary work resumes against a backdrop of tension on Monday, as the capital is stormed by truckers from the “freedom convoy”. At the start of the day, Wellington Street, opposite the parliament, was blocked by lorries and vans, and the concert of car horns had resumed.
The presence of this convoy has forced the closure of several businesses in downtown Ottawa, and calls for its departure are beginning to be heard louder and louder. Federal MPs were also called upon to respect special security measures formulated by the Sergeant-at-Arms, responsible for security.