Canada’s chief of defense staff said he was “sickened” by a video of people dancing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Freedom Convoy protest in downtown Ottawa.
One Twitter video showed a man jumping on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial and shouting “Freedom!” This incident was captured as thousands protested the COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and other restrictions on public health in Ottawa.
Gen. Wayne Eyre posted a tweet saying that “I am sickened by seeing protesters dance on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and desecrate the National War Memorial.” “Generations upon generations of Canadians have fought for our rights, including freedom speech. But this is unacceptable. All those involved should be ashamed.”
Anita Anand, Minister of Defence, called some of the behavior at the National War Memorial “beyond reprobable.”
The National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are sacred places for our nation. Anand, on Twitter, said that he urged Canadians to respect these sacred sites out of respect for the fallen soldiers and their families.
A number of vehicles were left parked at Ottawa’s National War Memorial on Saturday morning before being moved by Ottawa police.
Police released a statement saying that several vehicles were parked at the National War Memorial and were immediately towable. “Cars are prohibited from parking and the Memorial will not be desecrated.”
On Terry Fox ‘s statue on Wellington Street, an upside down Canada flag was placed by someone.
“I found it reprehensible that people were putting anti-mask sign and upside down Canadian flags at Terry Fox statue,” Mayor Jim Watson said during an interview with CTV News Channel.
“We have video footage of people dancing on the grave of the Unknown Soldier. We had to pull people out who were parked at National War Monument. This behavior is a setback to any support or positive movements that this rally may have received.
