The movement of Canadian truckers is gaining momentum. For the second day in a row, a day of demonstrations against health restrictions has
rocked the Canadian capital Ottawa on Sunday. Many supporters of the “Freedom Convoy” took to the streets. This protest movement initiated by truckers opposes the obligation to vaccinate to cross the Canada-US land border, the longest in the world. Since Saturday, these truck drivers have arrived in Ottawa in convoys from across the country to make their voices heard.
In solidarity on Sunday, truckers carried out a “complete blockade” of Highway 4 in southern Alberta (west), near the border, a major road artery for transporting goods between Canada and the United States. “The port of entry (border crossing) is currently open but, in reality, no one can cross it from the north side unless on foot,” explained Curtis Peters, spokesperson for the RCMP (police Federal) in Alberta, which estimated that at least 100 trucks were blocking the highway.
Barricades and dancing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
In the capital, the police have opened “several criminal investigations” in connection with the desecration of national monuments, “threatening, illegal and intimidating” behavior towards police officers in particular, and also for vandalism on a municipal vehicle. “I am appalled to see protesters dancing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and desecrating the National War Memorial,” tweeted Chief of the National Defense Staff Wayne Eyre, adding that “those involved should have shame “.
Barricades were installed on Sunday to block the access of trucks and vehicles to the passage leading to the monument. Also in downtown Ottawa, Shepherds of Hope, which helps the homeless, said its staff and volunteers were “harassed” by protesters, who received meals freebies were distributed to ease tensions.
The truckers are not about to leave
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family were escorted to an undisclosed location on Saturday, according to Canadian media. The mobilization could continue in Ottawa for a while longer since truckers, some of whom have come from as far away as British Columbia, thousands of kilometers away, intend to demonstrate for several days.
But the capital’s mayor Jim Watson said in an interview with CBC that it was time for the protesters to “move on” so that Ottawa can return to normality. “Honestly, (residents) feel like prisoners in their own homes,” he said. On Twitter, he denounced the “threatening” behavior of some protesters, in particular towards the media. “Stop bullying techniques and be respectful of your fellow citizens,” he said.