Parliamentary security officials walk past a barrier showing a closed road on Wellington Street in front of Ottawa’s Parliament Hill on April 27. Adrian Wilde / The Canadian Press
Hundreds of motorcycles are expected to board the country’s capital this weekend for what organizers say will be a peaceful celebration of freedom. The event, dubbed the Rolling Thunder Ottawa, has raised concerns about a possible repeat of the truck convoy protest that paralyzed the city weeks earlier this year.
What is the purpose of Rolling Thunder?
In a statement posted on the event’s official website, organizer Neil Sheard said the group did not support blockades, obstruction of police in the performance of their duties, damage to property or hatred, and aggression against Ottawa residents.
In a recent video posted on YouTube, Mr. Sheard, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, said veterans wanted to lay a wreath at the Ottawa War Memorial after the monument was “desecrated” and a high fence erected. around him during a truck convoy protest in February.
What groups are participating in the rally?
Although organizers have not specified the purpose of the biker rally, some groups associated with the event, including Freedom Fighters Canada, Veterans for Freedom and Live from the Shed, say they oppose government mandates.
On its website, Freedom Fighters Canada says it is a non-profit organization that demands “the end of all government mandates; the end of all tyrannical bills and legislation. “It also says that” our government has exceeded its borders, we are here to put them back in place. “The group also says motorcyclists are coming to Ottawa to “Celebrate our freedom peacefully.”
Veterans of Freedom says on its website that it is made up of veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces across the country and that they seek to engage in “legitimate civil action to restore the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians.”
Live from the Shed describes itself on YouTube as a platform for sharing “stories of trucks, volunteers, streamers and other characters from the Freedom Convoy to Ottawa and the wider Canadian freedom movement.”
When does the Rolling Thunder event take place?
Ottawa police say they expect protesters to arrive on Friday, with many major activities taking place on Saturday.
Interim Chief Steve Bell said the convoy, which could include up to 400 motorcycles, would have to stay on a pre-determined route starting east of downtown Ottawa and making its way into the core.
Chief Bell said there would be an increased police presence along the route, backed by tugs and physical barriers. He said police were in contact with rally organizers who had promised to leave the capital on Sunday.
Which roads in downtown Ottawa will be affected?
Police and the city said no protests, rallies or events based on motor vehicles would be allowed in certain central areas, including near and around the parliamentary hill and the National Military Memorial.
“We have created an exclusion zone in the city center,” Chief Bell said on Thursday.
He said locals – both pedestrians and cyclists – as well as public transport and business traffic would be allowed in the exclusion zone.
What happened to the convoy of trucks in the winter?
The convoy of trucks arrived in the country’s capital in late January and blocked key streets in the city center for more than three weeks. It began as a demonstration against vaccination mandates, but soon turned into an anti-government protest, with participants calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The convoy protest, which Ottawa police called an “occupation,” ended after the federal government cited the Emergency Situations Act. The law gives broad powers to the federal government to restore order in times of crisis.
A massive police operation has led to dozens of arrests and hundreds of charges against organizers and participants in the convoy.
City councilors and Ottawa residents have expressed concern that this weekend’s rally could cause disruptions similar to those the city experienced during the convoy protest.
What do the authorities say about the Rolling Thunder?
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says additional resources, including the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police and local officials, will help city police manage public safety during the rally.
“Our main focus is on public safety and ensuring that the protest is peaceful, with minimal disruption to our people and small businesses in the nation’s capital,” Mr Watson said on Thursday.
Police, meanwhile, have warned that those facing charges in connection with the truck convoy protest and ordered to stay away from Ottawa must comply with the condition. Anyone who joined the biker rally this weekend, police said, will be arrested and charged.
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