The Ottawa Police Department moved on Friday night to clear a crowd gathered near the Rideau Center in downtown Ottawa on the first day of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally this weekend.
Shortly before 7:30 p.m., ET police tweeted about a large crowd on Rideau Street and asked people to avoid the area.
Twenty minutes later, police said they were dealing with an aggressive mob there and that more police officers had been sent to help deal with the situation.
At the same time, Kichisipi County. Jeff Leper tweeted a video showing police watching a large crowd in front of the Rideau Center.
we. Must. No. Allows. Another. Profession. pic.twitter.com/0XUHryk5C9
– @JLeiper
“We ask people to remain calm and follow the instructions of the police while working to clear the area,” police said on Twitter.
A follow-up police tweet followed, saying that “due to the escalation of crowd aggression” at the intersection of Rideau and Sussex streets, some officers would be wearing helmets and shields.
Police say several people have been arrested on Rideau Street.
Due to the escalation of crowd aggression, officers are wearing helmets and shields to protect them to purge the crowd in Rideau and Sussex.
– @OttawaPolice
The city of Ottawa imposed severe restrictions pending protests this weekend to avoid a repeat of the occupation of the anti-mandate convoy, which paralyzed the center of the center for several weeks earlier this year.
Towed vehicle
Police have been warning for days that all vehicles related to the rally, which are making their way through selected streets in the city center, will be removed.
A tow truck was used to remove at least one vehicle on Rideau Street on Friday night amid shouts from the “Freedom!” Crowd.
Warning: The video below contains offensive language.
Towing trucks in action now. Many people are shouting at the police. pic.twitter.com/2Bmy7cGTj5
– @ DCFraser
The participants in the Rolling Thunder rally arrived earlier in the evening on Parliament Hill. This was the first of several planned events this weekend.
Earlier in the week, Rolling Thunder Ottawa said in a statement that its members did not support efforts to obstruct police.
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