Police in Ottawa have retook control of Wellington Street where a number of protestors occupied the space for the last few weeks. Police are armed with batons and helmets today (sat) as they continue to arrest demonstrators and tow vehicles away. At times, police have used pepper spray to push protestors back. Ottawa Police say they have close to a hundred checkstops near the downtown to limit the amount of people entering the city’s core. Those who live or work in the downtown will be allowed in. Some bridges connecting Gatineau to Ottawa have also been closed to limit those entering the downtown. Ottawa Police tweeted Saturday morning that people are bringing their children to the protest and anyone found to be bringing a minor to the unlawful protest may be charged and fined along with the potential of facing jail time.
Children will be brought to a place of safety.#ottnews https://t.co/y9tkSAz3FR
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 19, 2022
Ottawa Police also tweeted saying that officers arrested protesters wearing body armor, and that they had smoke grenades on them along with miscellaneous fireworks in their bags. Additional smoke grenades and fireworks were said to also be located and seized in a vehicle on Wellington Street.
Meanwhile, Pat King who is one of the figures behind the protest is due in court today (sat) after he was arrested Friday. The 44 year-old faces a number of charges including mischief, disobeying a court order and counselling to obstruct police.
Senior police sources in Ottawa said early Saturday morning they planned to “break the back” of demonstrations that have gone on for the better part of a month in the nation’s capital. On Friday, Ottawa Police and their policing partners moved in on the Freedom Convoy and began arresting people. Police also worked throughout the night removing demonstrators. More than 100 people had been arrested as of Saturday morning, including four organizers of the Freedom Convoy. At least 21 vehicles have been towed away from the downtown. The House of Commons is debating today (sat) on the use of the recently implemented Emergencies Act to respond to the protests.
As Saturday rolled on, police tweeted saying they’ll be using a chemical irritant to help stop protestors are are being assaultive.
Protesters continue to be aggressive and assaultive on officers. They are refusing to comply with the orders to move. You will have seen officers use a chemical irritant in an effort to stop the assaultive behavior and for officer safety.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 19, 2022
Police said they were arming themselves with batons and helmets as protestors were aggressive towards officers and horses on Friday.
PROTESTORS: We told you to leave. We gave you time to leave. We were slow and methodical, yet you were assaultive and aggressive with officers and the horses. Based on your behaviour, we are responding by including helmets and batons for our safety. pic.twitter.com/drxfhG9clP
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 19, 2022
Meanwhile, the order to keep the Ambassador Bridge open between Windsor and Detroit has been extended indefinitely by an Ontario Superior Court Chief. The order was set to expire on Monday. Traffic was blocked on the bridge for a week due to a blockade set up by those protesting vaccine mandates for truckers crossing the international border.
Here in Saskatchewan, the Village of North Portal is expected to see a number of protestors descend on the border crossing in that community today (sat). A post on the Village of North Portal’s Facebook page says they’re expecting 60 to 80 semis to take part in the protest along with up to 120 other passenger vehicles. Last weekend, a convoy gathered in Regina before making their way to the Regway border crossing. Those who took part didn’t block the highway, but instead occupied the farm land located next to the road.
(Photo from Twitter)
