The first party of the second “freedom convoy” in Quebec was canceled Friday evening while Bernard “Rambo” Gauthier asked the demonstrators not to panic in the face of the situation in Ottawa by showing up in large numbers on Saturday.
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While the kick-off was scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, it was dead calm all evening in the area of the Tourny fountain.
Kevin “Big” Grenier and Bernard “Rambo” Gauthier, two of the three main organizers of the weekend’s rally, broadcast a short video “as a matter of urgency” to reassure the most fearful.
Photo by Jean-Francois Racine
“Panic is ‘handled’. We see what is happening in Ottawa. It’s very sad. Nothing changes for us. We stay the course. We want to see a lot of people to send a clear message, ”explained “Rambo” Gauthier in a very different tone.
Legal manifestation
According to them, the Emergency Measures Act, the restrictions on the presence of children and the regulatory changes by Mayor Marchand would make some demonstrators hesitate.
“We are making a legal demonstration. Stop stressing,” added Kevin “Big” Grenier. The two men therefore agreed to meet on Saturday. Keven Bilodeau, meanwhile, will leave Beauce with his convoy.
Photo by Jean-Francois Racine
Tank trucks were blocking access not far away.
Under close surveillance, the relatively deserted Upper Town was safer than ever. A very strong police presence was felt, especially near the Quebec City Convention Center.
At the intersection of René-Lévesque Boulevard, no gathering took place between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The announced party did not take place and the bill will be salty. Teams from the SPVQ and the SQ began to leave gradually while regarding twenty people were on site.
Photo by Jean-Francois Racine
Traffic remained very fluid on René-Lévesque and nothing disrupted the activities of citizens and tourists. Barely a few flags of Quebec and Canada were seen floating in the wind on some moving cars.
Similar strategy
The authorities used the same strategy with access blocked by tank trucks and a pedestrian-only Grande Allée.
According to the “programming” unveiled by the organizers, a dozen musical performances by singers and DJs are announced on the stage set up in front of the National Assembly. As for the number of demonstrators expected, it remains difficult to predict.
Photo by Jean-Francois Racine
Pro-convoy placards and flags near parliament.
In addition to demanding the “end of the health emergency” and the “dismissal of François Legault”, the demonstrators added to their demands the end of the wearing of masks for children.