The city of Ottawa says it will enforce its bylaws this weekend as a motorcycle rally, calling itself “Rolling Thunder Ottawa”, plans a series of protest events in the capital.
In a press release issued Tuesday, the city said it is working to ensure Rolling Thunder event participants can exercise their democratic right to demonstrate, while also ensuring the community is respected.
“The City of Ottawa is responsible for ensuring that residents feel safe in their community. The City values diversity of minds, perspectives and lived experiences and denounces any display of hate and racism,” the statement said.
Unlike the Freedom Convoy in January and February, this rally does not promote a petition to change the COVID-19 rules, but aligns itself with groups that have varied motives.
The event’s website lists three partners: a veterans’ group that wants to restore and protect fundamental rights; a group that claims to want an end to all tyrannical laws; and a pro-convoy streamer whose videos date back to the last days of Ottawa’s occupation and who has frequented the freedom rallies circuit ever since.
The group has events planned beginning at 6 pm on Friday and continuing through Saturday.
Since the truck convoy is still fresh in some residents’ memories, the city notes that events like this can affect people differently and encourages anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed to talk to someone and directs them to the Ottawa Department of Public Health. resources for stressful events.
Traffic delays expected, city says
Charter officers will be on the streets making sure residents and visitors follow the parking regulations. Any vehicle found in no-stop zones will be fined and towed, according to the statement.
Ottawa Police have already announced that vehicles involved in the demonstration will not be allowed in an exclusion zone around Parliament Hill and ByWard Market, although the city notes that normal residential and commercial traffic, both vehicles and pedestrians, will be allowed. .
Earl Catherine McKenney, whose district covers Centretown, a neighborhood deeply affected by the truck convoy, was disappointed that the area remains open to protest vehicles this weekend.
In a tweet, McKenney said they will take up the issue at city council on Wednesday.
just posted by #OttCity, this exclusion zone does not protect the residential areas of Centretown. They have learned little from the latest illegal occupation. I will bring this up in Council tomorrow and ensure the safety of residents who have suffered trauma due to past inaction. pic.twitter.com/rmgvtoix0z
The city lists several other statutes in its statement that it plans to enforce over the weekend, including:
- No unnecessary noise from motor vehicles or others, including speakers.
- Do not urinate or defecate in public.
- There are no outdoor fires.
- No littering.
The city will close City Hall and its attached parking lot to the public starting at 5 p.m. Thursday and will remain closed until Monday at 7 a.m.
He says the rally may cause traffic delays this weekend, but at this time he doesn’t expect OC Transpo service disruptions.
Reference-www.cbc.ca