OTTAWA –
The Rolling Thunder rally is due to end today after arriving in Ottawa on Friday afternoon, bringing large crowds to the city center, which is still tense after a three-week occupation in February.
Saturday’s protests remained largely peaceful, with crowds attending a ceremony in front of the War Memorial in the morning, followed by motorcycling and an afternoon rally on Parliament Hill.
Ottawa police have called for support from the RCMP, OPP and a number of municipal forces.
Steve Bell, the city’s interim police chief, warned protesters that they would not be allowed to launch a long-term occupation this time. But Centerville Community Association president Mary Huang says the real test will be to see if people are really leaving.
Police say over 560 fiches have been issued on Friday for various violations, dozens of vehicles have been towed, and several protesters have been charged with alleged crimes involving a police attack.
A spokeswoman for Freedom Fighters Canada, one of the groups organizing the event, said the church service was all planned for today.
This Canadian Press report was first published on May 1, 2022.
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