Photo: The Canadian Press
Protesters confronted police during a demonstration as part of a convoy-style protest that participants called “Looking for Thunder” in Ottawa on Friday.
UPDATE at 6:35 p.m.
A major rally against the mandates and restrictions on the COVID-19 vaccine has just ended on Parliament Hill, but hundreds of protesters remain.
The crowd spread over Parliament Hill and much of Wellington Street.
Today’s demonstration was relatively calm and peaceful.
Organizers say they plan to lead the crowd on a march through downtown Ottawa before heading to a rural area outside the city for an “after party.”
Asked if the protesters were expected to return home after the day’s events, Freedom Fighters Canada spokesman Bethan Nodwell said nothing was planned other than a church service Sunday morning.
The Ottawa Police Department says the man was arrested for being downtown in violation of previous release conditions.
The force reminds anyone barred from being in the city center as part of the release conditions stemming from accusations made during the February Freedom Convoy that they must abide by the rules.
Police tweeted that anyone who violated these conditions would be arrested and charged.
UPDATE: 9 in the morning
The “War of Thunder” veterans ceremony at the National War Memorial is now over, and hundreds of supporters have moved to the outskirts of Parliament Hill to watch a convoy of motorcycles pass through the area.
Retired Pte. Christopher Deering laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a way to “take back” the war memorial after veterans who were part of a convoy of freedom convoys in February were removed from the scene by police along with other protesters.
Several veterans delivered speeches in support of Freedom Convoy’s three-week protest earlier this year, prompting the federal government to invoke the Emergency Act for the first time.
After the speeches and wreath-laying ceremonies, the crowd of hundreds moved a few blocks south to watch a column of motorcycles pass through the city.
Police form a tail to keep hundreds of protesters away from the street so that the motorcycles can pass.
The city’s public transportation agency said on Twitter on Saturday that the downtown mall was reopening after it was closed last night after a clash between police and Rolling Thunder protesters.
Meanwhile, the Ottawa Police Department is advising residents to expect traffic slowdowns and downtime in the city center, as much of the city’s core remains closed to vehicles participating in demonstrations.
The force tweeted that its employees noticed protesters wearing protective equipment and reminded participants to obey the law and follow police instructions.
UPDATE: 7:55
The Ottawa Police Department said it would maintain a “strong presence” in the city center as the Rolling Thunder rally began its second day of protests.
The force posted a tweet this morning saying its hate crime unit was on the scene and anyone showing symbols of hatred would be charged.
Meanwhile, a group of about 100 protesters gathered at the National War Memorial for a 10 a.m. event, said to be in honor of war veterans who they say were removed from the scene by police during the February demonstrations. Convoy of Freedom “.
Dozens of counter-protesters gathered across the street and shouted for them to return as police formed a line in the middle of the road to separate the two groups.
Police will maintain an increased presence in the city center. Towing trucks are part of the deployment plan. All appropriate implementation options will be used.
– Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 30, 2022
ORIGINAL: 6:45 a.m.
Police arrested seven Rolling Thunder protesters in Ottawa on Friday after a small convoy of vehicles tried to make their way to Parliament Hill as part of a rally expected to continue over the weekend.
The Ottawa Police Department said 24 vehicles were towed as of Friday night. As of Saturday morning, city officials said law enforcement officials had issued 417 tickets and towed 30 vehicles in connection with the rally.
“There are several events planned for this weekend in Ottawa. Police will monitor them to ensure that peace is maintained,” the Ottawa Police Department said in a tweet on Saturday morning.
The protesters arrived in the city on Friday afternoon as part of a rally “Rolling Thunder” organized by Freedom Fighters Canada, a group dedicated to speaking out against the mandates of COVID-19. Many of the protesters 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.
The protest is expected to continue on Saturday with a convoy of hundreds of motorcycles through the city center, stopping at the National War Memorial, before moving to Parliament Hill for another rally. 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.
The protest began relatively quietly on Parliament Hill on Friday, but as night fell a number of large trucks, campers and other trucks made their way to the city center. Protesters gathered around the trucks, and police in tactical gear formed a line and brought them face down.
Seven people have been arrested on various charges, including assaulting police, the Ottawa Police Department said. At least one truck also has broken windows.
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