© Archyde.com/Blair Gable
Canadian police officers hand out flyers to truckers in the so-called “freedom convoy,” warning them to leave the city center or they will be arrested. In Ottawa, Canada, on February 16, 2022.
The Police of the Canadian capital launched this February 16 an arrest warning to the protesters of the ‘Freedom Convoy’, who since the end of January have blocked the city center to protest once morest the Covid-19 restrictions. The notice was issued following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau activated the Emergency Act, following criticism of not doing enough to contain the mobilization that suffocates the city’s residents.
After almost three weeks, the Canadian Police tries to put an end to the so-called ‘Freedom Convoy’.
One by one, authorities approached truck drivers blocking roads in downtown Ottawa, the capital, warning them to leave the area or face arrest.
“They must leave the area now. Anyone who blocks the streets is committing a crime and can be arrested (…) They must immediately cease any illegal activity,” read the leaflets that the officers handed out to the truckers.
Officers also informed protesters that they risk losing their driver’s licenses and having their vehicles impounded if they don’t follow the recommendation.
Likewise, the agents proceeded to fine the drivers, amid the reluctance of many who accuse the uniformed officers of “harassment.”
“I will never go home!” shouted an activist outside Parliament.
“So far it’s just sheets of paper (…) We’ll see what happens. I don’t think they have the staff to do it,” challenged Marie Eye, one of the protesters.
The warnings of the authorities were launched under the Emergencies Law that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau activated on February 14; which allows the federal government to authorize measures such as giving authorities the power to ban blockades and remove trucks to ensure safety during exceptional situations.
The order, which grants sweeping powers for 30 days, also allows the military to be sent onto the streets. However, Trudeau noted that he has no plans to call in the Army.
Horn honking ban extended for 60 days
During a new hearing on Wednesday, Ontario Superior Court Judge Hugh McLean extended the initial 10-day injunction, which was regarding to expire, to silence truck horns by 60 days.
Citizens have denounced the incessant sound of horns during the first days of the protest and the judge determined on February 8 that the noise might cause long-term irreparable hearing damage.
The magistrate ratified in the last hours that “the right of the protesters to be heard does not prevail over the right of the public to peace and security.”
Initially, the precautionary measure worked. Within days, however, the horns blared once more.
“What the protesters need to understand is that they can convince people to do other things, but they can’t use force (…) In other words, prevent people from going to work, prevent people from sleeping. They cannot use that to impose their beliefs on other members of the public,” McLean said as he delivered his decision.
New Ottawa Police Chief takes office
Meanwhile, Steve Bell, who served as Deputy Chief of Police in the capital, took over the direction of the local institution following the abrupt departure of Peter Sloly.
Sloly resigned amid accusations of not doing enough to mitigate the mobilization that generated blockades on the roads leading to the United States and generated economic losses.
However, the Ottawa authorities were optimistic that they might regain control in the coming days following Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Law.
For the past several weeks, officers have been hesitant to act once morest protesters, citing a lack of staff to contain the protest and fear of violence.
Trudeau’s decision came amid growing frustration from citizens who criticized the government’s inaction.
The blockade of the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest in North America, which connects Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, USA, has already been lifted, but the interruption to traffic continues at the border crossing of Emerson, Manitoba, in front of Dakota of the North North.
The demonstration began on January 28 in rejection of the requirement of the Trudeau Administration that requires truckers to be fully vaccinated once morest Covid-19 to cross the land border with the United States.
However, it later spread to a mobilization once morest all the restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic and other disagreements towards the government, including a carbon tax.
With Archyde.com, AP and local media
