A group with elements reminiscent of the convoy’s protest this winter has announced plans for a series of events over the weekend in Ottawa, but local police say protesters will not be allowed to take their cars to streets near Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial.
Unlike the Freedom Convoy in January and February, the Rolling Thunder Ottawa did not promote a petition to change the rules of COVID-19, but rather aligned itself with groups with different motives.
The event’s website lists three “partners”, which include: a group of veterans who want to restore and protect fundamental rights; a group that says it wants an end to all tyrannical laws; and a pro-convoy streamer whose videos date back to the last days of the Ottawa occupation and who have since frequently attended the Freedom Rally Circle.
Under a photo of motorcyclists and the slogan “Motorists are coming”, the organizers of the weekend protest also list events that began on Friday with a rally at 18:00 on Parliament Hill, Saturday morning service at the National War Memorial, another Saturday afternoon Hill service and Sunday church Vanie.
A convoy protester speaks to the crowd on the last weekend of the freedom convoy. This “Live From The Shed” brand corresponds to one of the three “partners” on the Rolling Thunder website. (Michael Charles Cole / CBC)
In a news release Monday before an afternoon meeting of the Ottawa Police Council, local police shared some details of their plans.
First on the list is a ban on protest vehicles from certain areas.
“As a result of the illegal protest, the position of the city of Ottawa is that no protests will be allowed with motor vehicles, rallies or events in certain central areas of the city. Ottawa police support and implement this decision,” the statement said.
“This includes areas near Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial and applies to all demonstrations, rallies and events.”
A video update from the Rolling Thunder website says it does not allow motorcyclists to cycle through the memorial, the event risks becoming “free for all”.
Delays in the trip are expected, more details are forthcoming
Ottawa police said residents should expect delays in travel this weekend downtown and around an unspecified gathering place on Eagleson Road in the west. A traffic plan is being worked on and may include closing some streets in the vehicle center.
Police said they would draw resources from the RCMP, as well as other provincial and municipal police forces, to protect both public safety and the right to legitimate, peaceful protest.
Residents of the center said they were intimidated and harassed and many businesses were closed during the Freedom Convoy, which remained in Ottawa from the last weekend of January to the long weekend of Family Day.
So far, this has led to hundreds of criminal charges against participants and organizers.
WATCH How did the end of the occupation in the center develop:
A crackdown on police efforts to clear a convoy of protesters on Friday
This timelapse video shows groups of police moving towards protesters from Rideau Street and Colonel By Drive between late in the morning and around 3 pm, when the operation to clear the convoy protest in Ottawa began on Friday. 2:35
Police and government responses are being reviewed on several fronts, including Monday’s announcement of an investigation into the use of federal emergency law. The Ottawa police chief has resigned and the city police supervisory board chief has been removed.
Parts of Metcalfe, O’Connor and Wellington streets have been closed to vehicles for more than two months.
A pedestrian crosses Wellington Street near Parliament Hill on March 21 as the road remains closed to vehicles for more than two months after the end of his occupation. (Vincent Yergo / CBC)
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