Seven arrested during first night of ‘Rolling Thunder’ convoy event

The “Rolling Thunder” convoy started with a bang on its first day of the three-day event, as police made several arrests.

According to an update from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) shortly before midnight on Friday, April 29, seven people were arrested on various charges, including assaulting police.

There are no reported injuries, and police say they remain “in full control of city streets.”

Twenty-four vehicles were also towed.

Assisting OPS are members from the RCMP, OPP, York and Windsor police.

On Friday, police were tracking several convoys of vehicles.

Officers responded and “adapted to a concerted and coordinated effort” to distract police in order to gain access to the downtown core.

“Several attempts were made to occupy areas of the city but were thwarted with the assistance of officers, by-law and tow trucks,” police said in their statement. “The first convoy stopped at Lees Avenue and initially refused to leave. One person was arrested at that location, and the remainder of the vehicles departed after tow trucks arrived on scene.”

Police say several convoys and, along with protestors on foot, forced the full closure of the motor vehicle exclusion zone.

Streets were later reopened when it was deemed safe to do so.

Police Order Units were deployed to the Rideau Street and Sussex Drive area Friday evening to break up what they call “an aggressive and combative crowd.”

For their own protection, OPS said officers were deployed with hard tactical gear, including helmets and batons.

Multiple arrests happened at this location, as well as three vehicles towed.

“Plans developed over the last few weeks were effective and will continue through the weekend,” OPS said. “While dealing with these demonstrations, calls for service were responded to across the city.”

Investigative teams, including the Hate Crime Unit, are also in place and are focused on gathering evidence and laying charges, police add.

“Our plan remains focused on public safety, maintaining the right to participate in events and enforcing all applicable laws. We continue to monitor online and open-source commentary related to all events.”

The operation will continue until the demonstration and events are complete, and police will remain in place overnight, OPS add.