In a statement, police did not name the rally, but said they were reacting to “demonstrations” in the city.
Residents were on the brink before the event after so-called freedom convoy protests earlier this year that lasted for weeks.
“No injuries have been reported and police continue to monitor the city’s streets,” the police said in a statement.
More than 500 participants are expected to travel to Ottawa this weekend, according to event organizers.
Law enforcement officers are preparing for protests.
Participants were warned by police that displaying hate symbols such as swastikas “would lead to charges”. The agency also warned that “targeting all kinds of events in the community will lead to a police and law enforcement response.”
The city was paralyzed by protests by a freedom convoy in January.
They started with truck drivers who opposed the Covid-19 vaccination mandate, which ordered all Canadian truck drivers crossing the US-Canadian border to be fully vaccinated or quarantined in their homes for two weeks, when they return.
Eventually, the protests attracted others who opposed the restrictions on the coronavirus at the time.
Hundreds of vehicles formed convoys that gathered in Ottawa and many pedestrian protesters joined the vehicles. The demonstration clogged the city center, as well as key routes between the United States and Canada.
The protests eventually dissipated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergency Situations Act, leading to arrests of protesters and the removal of vehicles and blockades.
Add Comment