The protest convoy, which received steam and news last week, reached the capital of Canada on Friday, with a multi-day rally that is expected to halt the official Ottawa’s business.
Major outbreaks were on Friday night along Wellington Street – a harbinger of protesters coming, united by a vague message of the termination of COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health measures after nearly two full years of pandemic precautionary measures.
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Ottawa police work with national security agencies as truck convoy reaches capital
Ottawa police and the parliamentary protection service – as well as federal law enforcement and national security agencies – are expected to be on increased alert as thousands of protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
“With demonstrations of this scale, there are significant risks that need to be mitigated, but which we can not completely eliminate,” Peter Sloly, chief of the Ottawa Police Services, told reporters on Friday.
The protests are expected to continue until Saturday and Sunday, but Sloly could not say how long the protesters were expected to stay – even though he was in contact with the main organizers. Some have suggested that they will not leave until all COVID-19 vaccine mandates have been revoked, something that has virtually no chance of actually happening as Canada continues to struggle with the Omicron wave.
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Police warn of ‘consequences’ for violence as truck convoy approaches Ottawa
Organizers have committed to a peaceful protest. But white nationalist and extremist characters attached themselves to the convoy’s mission, broadcasting both support and participation in the movement live.
What started as a protest ostensibly over cross-border trucks has turned into a nationwide social and political debate. Global News will cover the protest throughout – online and on radio and broadcast. Check back here for updates throughout.
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