Demonstration in Ottawa | First targeted arrests in the city center, including two organizers

(Ottawa) Police began making targeted arrests late Thursday at the 21^and day of the demonstration that paralyzed downtown Ottawa. Officers from the Sûreté du Québec, the Ontario Provincial Police and other police forces came to lend a hand to the local police. The snow came to cool the heat in the evening – 20 to 30 centimeters are expected.

Melanie Marquis
The Press

Mylene Crete
The Press

Daniel Renaud
The Press

Two key organizers of the “freedom convoy” were arrested on Thursday. At the end of the day, the police first grabbed Chris Barber. Subsequently, they arrested Tamara Lich. The Ottawa Police Service had not confirmed their arrest Thursday evening, but images and videos of the two scenes were relayed on social networks.

Other protesters were also arrested. Law enforcement appeared to surgically cut through the crowd, moving in groups. On the other hand, they were much less visible at nightfall, when the snowflakes began to waltz in the sky of Ottawa, and the wind picked up on the capital.

Shortly before the operation began, Acting Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell announced that law enforcement was preparing to put their plan into action to put an end to the “unlawful protest”. in the streets of downtown. “We have increased our resources, developed clear plans and are preparing to act,” he said at a press conference. Intervention is imminent. »

In the streets of the capital, metal barriers have been erected to protect parliamentary buildings. At the start of the day, employees were busy around the parliament building under heavy police surveillance. “Anything for a paycheck,” chanted a passing protester. Several demonstrators shouted Freedom! » while walking on Wellington Street.

A perimeter has also been erected around the city center and the police have created a secure zone that stretches for several kilometers, with more than a hundred checkpoints to prevent other protesters from joining the ranks of those who are already there. Several exits that lead downtown on Highway 417 are closed.

Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Acting Chief Steve Bell spoke directly to the protesters. “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. »

“This weekend is going to be very different from the last three,” he added.

Citizens who live or work in the neighborhood will however be able to access the perimeter and walk around freely, assured Chief Bell. “We are committed to getting your streets back and getting things back to normal,” he said, speaking directly to downtown residents. Those who want to leave the secure area can do so at any time. “We want to end this illegal protest peacefully and safely,” he continued.

He would not specify how many trucks the police hope to be able to remove during this operation, but indicated that he saw “no problem with the capacity to remove the vehicles”.

Police have issued several warnings since Wednesday asking protesters to leave. Violators face fines of up to $5,000 and up to five years in prison, depending on the seriousness of the offence.

The organizers of the “freedom convoy” published an open letter on social media Thursday aimed at elected officials. They demand the end of compulsory vaccination and the vaccination passport. “Many of us have nothing to lose,” they wrote. It is our lineage traced in the sand. »

The SQ arrives as reinforcements

Agents of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) came to swell the police ranks in Ottawa to participate in the intervention aimed at dislodging the demonstrators.

Sources within the SQ confirmed to The Press that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has requested assistance from the SQ, and other police forces, to assist the Ottawa police in liberating the nation’s capital from a blockade of anti-sanitary measures protesters since three weeks now.

Specialists in demonstrations and crowd control, and emergency teams from the Sûreté du Québec were dispatched to Ottawa on Thursday and sworn in so that they could act in Ontario.

“There will be very structured and framed interventions in the short term. The police officers of the Sûreté du Québec are used to dealing with demonstrations and our police officers have often demonstrated their expertise,” confided to The Press a police source who requested anonymity because she is not mandated to speak to the media on this specific file.

It is not known how many SQ police officers will be dispatched to Ottawa. On the other hand, the SQ ensures that it has enough manpower to also be present in Quebec, where another demonstration is planned for Saturday.

Participation of members of the Armed Forces

Nine members of the Canadian Armed Forces have appeared on the authorities’ radar for their participation in the “freedom convoy” demonstrations. One of them was convicted of an offense for which he was fined $500, and the other eight investigations are still ongoing, a National Defense spokesman said Thursday. Daniel LeBouthillier. In addition to these investigations, two others have been opened concerning members of the military police, he added.

At a press conference in Brussels on Thursday, the Minister of National Defense, Anita Anand, contented herself with saying that members of the Armed Forces were subject to a code of conduct, including what surrounds “the public expression of policies”. The minister also mentioned that “more than 98%” of the members of the Armed Forces attested to being fully vaccinated – they were required to do so because of the obligation decreed by the federal government.