If it is quieter than a few days ago, the “freedom convoy” is still well entrenched in Ottawa, where the demonstrators manage to refuel despite the police ban.
• Read also: “Freedom convoy”: Over 1,300 fines distributed so far in Ottawa
• Read also: The Ambassador Bridge still blocked by protesters
• Read also: A “freedom convoy” to New Zealand
“It’s not as easy as a week ago, but we’re still getting some [de l’essence] “Said Tim Norton, a 57-year-old trucker parked with his truck on Wellington Street since the arrival of the convoy, which was Tuesday on its 12th day of siege in downtown Ottawa.
According to the most recent data from the Ottawa police, 418 trucks are still paralyzing several streets in the federal capital. On Tuesday, however, the sound of horns that had tortured residents had disappeared, a sign that the injunction authorized by a court on Monday to put an end to this cacophony for 10 days seems to be working.
Photo Olivier Faucher
Tim Norton. Trucker
Since Sunday, the police have been trying to discourage the demonstrators by prohibiting anyone from supplying them, among other things with gasoline. The police have also arrested 23 people in the past few days, including several for transporting gas.
But many manage to get around this ban.
On Tuesday, Le Journal witnessed one of these refuelings, when at least one can of gasoline was poured into a heavy truck while people formed a circle to try to camouflage the operation. Several police officers passed a few meters without intervening.
Those who had coordinated this filling walked away with empty cans in front of many passive policemen. They deposited them in what seemed to be a strategic point where Le Journal was coldly received by a Quebecer who said he was responsible.
“Do you think I’ll explain how it works?” Make some air! “, he answered our questions.
On social networks, several images that have been circulating for a few days show various tricks of the demonstrators to hide the supply of gasoline, such as covering the cans with garbage bags.
Many demonstrators have also started walking around with canisters filled with water in an attempt to discourage police intervention, which concerned Ottawa Deputy Chief of Police Steve Bell on Tuesday.
The latter also indicated that police officers were attacked by demonstrators on Monday as they tried to confiscate their cans of gasoline, and that an investigation had been opened into this event.
Police also reported protesters making fake 911 calls to confuse law enforcement.
The authorities are also concerned by the fact that there are children on board approximately one in four trucks among all those forming the convoy.
“These children could be at risk during a police operation. We are working with the Children’s Aid Society to ensure their well-being and safety,” said Bell, who was particularly concerned about children’s possible exposure to carbon monoxide and repeated exposure gases escaping from vehicles.
The children had also been exposed to the incessant noise of truck horns for days, which can put their hearing at risk.
Demonstrators are themselves using the children’s presence to protest the gas seizures, saying it puts children at risk from the cold at night. Children are also used in the ball of the cans that are given to them to carry.
– With Anne-Caroline Desplanques
Reference-www.tvanouvelles.ca