Protests against COVID-19 measures continue in cities across Canada
Posted Feb 6, 2022 01:20:00 PM.
Ottawa Police Services (OPS) are conducting criminal investigations into 50 alleged incidents connected to a long-running protest against COVID-19 measures in the city’s core.
Police say have responded to over 400 calls for service related to the demonstrations since they began. They also say seven people have been arrested and a total of 70 traffic violation tickets have been issued so far.
In total, over 50 criminal offences are being investigated—11 of those were hate crimes which resulted in charges against four people.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 5, 2022
Police say 11 of those alleged offences were hate crimes, and four people are facing charges.
The so-called Freedom Convoy rolled into the nation’s capital last weekend, and while some people went home over the course of the week, participation surged again yesterday. Officials estimate 500 heavy vehicles associated with the demonstration were in the city centre.
About 30 Ottawa police officers stand between the pro- and anti-convoy groups. There are moments of quiet, as well as horns and chants of “freedom!” from the north side of the street, as the south side responds with “go home!”@CityNewsOttawa pic.twitter.com/rr0NkhwE1H
— Jason White (check!) (@CityJasonWhite) February 5, 2022
Meanwhile, solidarity protests are ongoing across Canada.
In Toronto, big rig trucks and tractors shut down traffic at a major intersection yesterday before leaving in the evening. And Toronto police arrested a 22-year-old man accused of igniting a smoke bomb at a demonstration near Ontario’s legislature.
In Calgary, some businesses are losing money because of the protests, while in British Colombia, the protests were met with counter-protesters.
