Ottawa police made several arrests Friday night as the city prepares for Saturday’s Rolling Thunder demonstration.
The arrests were made after a small convoy tried to make its way to Parliament Hill, police said.
In a press release late Friday night, Ottawa police confirmed that seven people had been arrested during protests in the city center. Police said “various charges” have been filed, including assaulting police.
A total of 24 vehicles were towed to downtown Ottawa on Friday night.
Read more: Police and Rolling Thunder convoy face first night of Ottawa protest
“No injuries have been reported and police continue to monitor city streets,” Ottawa police said.
Many participants were also part of the Freedom Convoy demonstration that took over the capital for weeks in February in protest of vaccine mandates, COVID-19 restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
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The protest began relatively quietly on Parliament Hill on Friday, but as night fell a few hours later, a number of large trucks, campers and other trucks made their way to the core.
Protesters gathered around the trucks, and police in tactical gear formed a line and brought them face down.
Total today: – Seven people were arrested on various charges, including police for assault – 24 vehicles were towed
No casualties have been reported and police continue to monitor the city’s streets. (2/2)
– Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 30, 2022
Ottawa police spent much of the week preparing to arrive in the city in protest of “Looking for Thunder.” The forces banned vehicles from the city center and increased the number of employees who planned to patrol the streets.
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“We are a tired city,” interim police chief Steve Bell said Monday. “We had too much of this kind of activity in and around and on our streets, especially in the city center.”
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He said some of those planning to come to Ottawa over the weekend have “determined the need to attend the military monument and illuminate it again by laying a wreath and repairing any damage they believe may have been done during the war.” of the convoy and the abolition of this illegal occupation. “
Read more: More than 800 RCMP staff approved to help Ottawa police before motorcycle convoy
He said it was “extremely challenging” to identify a single reason for the protest.
“Because the groups have visited our city and other cities, there doesn’t seem to be a single central focus or single goal for them,” Bell said. “There are many different groups that come and get together at the same time.”
Ottawa Police have also approved the appointment of more than 800 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers to help enforce the law over the weekend.
In a press release, Ottawa police said “several attempts” were made Friday night to occupy areas of Ottawa.
“Public order units were stationed in the Rideau / Sussex area on Friday night to disperse an aggressive and combative mob,” police said.
At 7 a.m. Saturday, city officials issued 417 tickets and towed 30 vehicles in connection with the rally.
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OC Transpo, the city’s public transport agency, tweeted on Saturday that it was increasing its presence on the ground to support customers and “ensure the safety of our first-line staff”. On Friday night, the agency tweeted that the Rideau Center, a three-level shopping center in the heart of the center, was closed due to the rally.
– With files from The Canadian Press
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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