Trudeau and his family were forced to leave their home due to security concerns
A large group of protestors, including truckers, gathered on Parliament Hill to demand the end of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
On Saturday, hundreds of protesters marched on foot into the Parliament Precinct amid an extreme cold warning. They joined a line of truckers who arrived on the scene late Friday night.
Later, they were joined by drivers and protestors from all parts of the country who, in some instances, travelled thousands kilometres to deliver their message to the streets – outside the Prime Minister’s Office in downtown core.
Police believe that as many as 10,000 people will be present by the end of the day, according to police.
Traffic has been backed up by the convoy, which has blocked roads leading to the city centre. Because of the influx of people, law enforcement advised everyone to avoid the downtown. After being overrun by maskless patrons who defied provincial rules regarding indoor spaces, the Rideau Centre, a major shopping mall, was forced to close its doors early.
Many trucks gathered on Wellington Street, in front of Parliament Buildings, are covered with banners decrying public health measures and Prime Minster Justin Trudeau. Others warn that Canada will fall to communism if COVID-19-related restrictions are not lifted. Truckers are blaring their horns to signal their presence.
Sources said Trudeau and his family were moved from their home in Ottawa amid security concerns.
Despite being loud and disruptive, the protest was peaceful until this point. At 5:30 p.m. ET, no charges had been filed against any of the protesters. ET: A spokesperson for Ottawa Police Service stated that no charges have been filed against the protesters.
A demonstration originally intended to call on the federal government not to mandate cross-border vaccines for truckers and other essential workers has now become a wider movement against all public health measures.
Many of those present, including many who are not truckers themselves, stated that they would be there to press the government to lift pandemic-related restrictions on the country and allow for a return to “normal”. Some more extreme voices have also called for violence.
About a dozen protesters had left their cars on the spot of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Ottawa’s National War Memorial earlier Saturday. Local police issued orders for the removal of trucks and cars by midday. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson stated that parking on sacred ground is a sign to show complete disrespect.
Later, protesters were seen dancing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This led to condemnation by Lawrence MacAulay, Veterans Affairs Minister, and Gen. Wayne Eyre, Canada’s top soldier.
Anita Anand, Defence Minister, called protesters’ behavior “beyond reproachable.”
A statue of Terry Fox, the cross country runner who inspired the nation through his “marathon for hope,” was also decorated by demonstrators with anti-vaccine material as well as a defaced Canadian flag. Another incident saw a can of beer thrown at a reporter covering the event.
Science over standoff
The multitude of flags flying in the crowd showed the diversity of groups calling for an end the mandates.
Some protestors carried Canadian flags while others had placards encouraging people to “Think For Yourself,” an anti-vaccine slogan. A few demonstrators were seen waving the Patriotes flag. This is a reference to the Lower Canada rebellions in 1837-1838 when French-speaking settlers of present-day Quebec fought against British colonial rule.
One Confederate flag was seen in the crowd. This is a remnant from the U.S. Civil War, which is often associated with far-right and racist elements. The flag of the Metis Nation was waved by indigenous demonstrators, who flew the Mohawk warrior banner.
“I have never done anything like it in my entire life. I am 53 years old, and this is the hill where I will die. Don’t tell me that I need to inject something into my body,” Lorraine Commodore (a convoy supporter) told CBC News Saturday.
Commodore claimed she was fired as a dental hygienist for refusing to get vaccinated. She stated that she wanted this protest to end mandates that would have cost her and other people like her their jobs.
According to her, her mother-in law died in hospital. It was difficult for her family to visit her in her final days because of COVID-19 restrictions. “Open the hospitals. They’re open to all. This must stop immediately.
Mike, her husband, stated that he is skeptical of the shots, a skepticism which cost him his job in community living nursing.
“How many boosters will it take?” People, wake up. How many boosters are there? Even though they have taken two shots, people are still getting COVID-19. They are still positive. But where is the science? Is there any science? He said, “It’s amazing what government scientists are willing to say when their paycheques depend upon it.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), reported this month that the initial two doses of an mRNA vaccine offer “low” or “very low” protection from Omicron infections, but they can still prevent serious cases of COVID-19 and hospitalization.
According to PHAC data, people who have not been vaccinated are 19 times more likely than those who have. An additional dose of mRNA shots can provide greater protection against actual infections.
In the midst of this science standoff, there were also counter-protesters who joined the crowds to spread a pro-vaccine message among a group that is usually wary of COVID-19 shots. “I believe that public health is important. One of the signs that this group carried read, “Thank you nurses.”
Trudeau and his family were moved to security reasons
Trudeau and his family have moved out of their home, Rideau Cottage. It is located in the New Edinburgh neighbourhood, Ottawa, on the property the Governor General.
For security reasons, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that it couldn’t comment on Trudeau’s location. His itinerary usually lists the place where he is staying but he stated that he was in the “national capital area.”
Trudeau is currently isolated because he was close to one of his children, who recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Trudeau and his family were forced to leave Canada in the wake of the Rideau Hall attack on 2020. In an attempt to reach Trudeau, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces with a firearm drove his car into the gates.
This precautionary measure comes after the warning of Parliament’s Sergeant at Arms, who is responsible for the safety and security in the parliamentary precinct. He also warned that protesters could be seen at the homes of politicians.
Peter Sloly, Chief of Ottawa Police, stated that although organizers claim the protest will take place on a weekend, the option of it going into the week remains open to them.
Sloly stated that any decision to end the protest early or extend it beyond the weekend will be made based on safety concerns. Sloly also stated that a breakdown of communication with protest organizers could result in the protest being closed down early.
Marco Mendicino, Public Safety Minister, said Ottawa’s police officers will be supported by other police officers and national security forces. They are ready to face any threats from extremists who have taken advantage of the Freedom Convoy, a large protest organizer.
Mendicino stated Friday that there were signs of “flagrant extremeism” in some protesters. This included the equating vaccine mandates to Nazi Germany’s fascist regime and inciting people for violence against the government.
It’s not about freedom. It’s not about truckers,” he said to Nil Koksal, guest host on CBC’s Power & Politics.
According to the Ottawa Police Service, it will be enhanced with officers from Toronto and London, York, Durham, and the Ontario Provincial Police.
Ottawa cancels vigil to mark shooting at mosque
An Ottawa vigil to remember victims of a shooting at a Quebec City mosque has been cancelled by organizers.
The organizers stated that the event, originally scheduled for Saturday, 5th anniversary of the hate crime violently committed, was cancelled “because of violence related to truckers protest”.
Fareed Khan, founder of Canadians United Against Hate, stated that “the fact that we had the to cancel this memorial occasion marking a tragic anniversary Canadian Muslims is not just disappointing but it angers us.”
“This so-called protest for freedom and the violence it may cause by its supporters has prevented me, the Muslim community, and residents of National Capital Region from being able to peacefully mark an extremely sad occasion and remember six of the victims of the Quebec City mosque attack.
Organizers urge calm
One of the key organizers of Friday’s protest warned participants to peacefully demonstrate.
B.J. stated that “we cannot achieve our goals without threats or acts violence.” Dicher. Dicher.
He advised protestors not to enter government buildings or disrespect police officers.
Dichter ran for the Conservatives in Jack Layton’s old riding of Toronto–Danforth. He finished third behind the Liberals with just over 55,000 votes.
Dichter was a speaker at the 2019 People’s Party of Canada conference in Gatineau (Que.) where he condemned “political Islam” while arguing that the radical left in Canada is working together with Islamic groups to destroy the Canadian state.
He regularly uses Twitter to criticize public health measures for fighting COVID-19, major media organisations, socialism, and established political parties.
Tamara Lich, an Alberta resident, started a GoFundMe Campaign for the convoy. It has raised more that $7.5 million.
Lich kept regular video updates of the convoy’s progress across Canada from the cab of one truck. Lich claims that her parents own a trucking business, which was part of the reason she organized the protest. Lich was a member of the Western separatist Maverick Party in past. She is listed as the party’s secretary on its website.
In her Facebook videos, she has stated many times that trucks and demonstrators will not leave Ottawa until they get their desired results. She also urges people to respect the law and not cause any trouble.
Politicians are included
NDP Leader Jagmeet Sing condemned the convoy earlier this week, claiming it harbors racists. Trudeau was equally unreceptive and dismissed what he called a “small fringe”, which he said held “unacceptable views”.
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, while rejecting hate and bigotry, said that Canadians who are frustrated by two years of COVID-19 limitations should be heard. O’Toole met some truckers who were part of the convoy that left Parliament Hill on Friday.
Saturday’s crowd included at least one parliamentarian. Conservative MP Michael Cooper from Edmonton told CBC News that he was there to support “a lot of everyday Canadians” who were trying to voice their concerns about the direction Justin Trudeau is taking Canada.
Cooper stated that the mandate for vaccines “just doesn’t make sense” and will only exacerbate supply-chain problems. Several business organizations, such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, have warned that the trucker mandate could affect the free flow of goods between Canada, the U.S., and other countries.
Cooper stated that while there are some “unsavoury characters” among the mix, the majority of people are “just here for a message to Prime Minister.”
“I’m here to let people hear my voice.”
