UPDATE: ‘Rolling Thunder’ kicks off with large police, tactical unit presence
Posted Apr 30, 2022 12:17:00 AM.
Thousands descended on Parliament Hill Friday evening, some of whom donned Canadian and American flags — a scene that is all too familiar to the residents of downtown Ottawa.
Livestreams of Rolling Thunder on YouTube, the motorcycle convoy taking over Ottawa this weekend, started with a bang with a large police presence that included the tactical unit.
By 7:45 p.m. a large number of officers could be seen walking on Rideau Street towards a gathering of protesters stationed in front of the Chapters store.
Once they reached the protesters, they stood in the crowd and on the sidewalk.
Due to an escalation of crowd aggression, officers are deployed in helmets and shields for their protection in order to clear the crowd at Rideau and Sussex.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 30, 2022
It is unclear why police were stationed there and what events transpired for the need to have a large police presence.
However, it did prompt a team of officers from the tactical unit with large guns and helmets to come on scene as well.
Friday's kickoff
The crowd, which started its march on foot down Wellington and Rideau streets at 7 p.m., were halted by a group of motorcyclists that were headed the opposite way in front of the Chapters store on Rideau Street.
The crowd gathered around the bikers who were revving their engines before the bikers left towards Parliament Hill.
Attendees ranged in age, some as young as children. Dogs could also be seen in the crowd.
Music, blow horns and whistles could also be heard, however, motorcycles (other than those belonging to police along the route) were not seen.
Behind them was a lineup of vehicles; first a tow truck, then an 18-wheeler hauling a camper, a bus painted in an army pattern and several pickup trucks and other smaller vehicles and trailers.
They did not move past the area in front of the Chapters on Rideau.
One of the vehicles could be heard honking their horn.
Just before 8:30 p.m., police moved everyone onto the sidewalks and cleared an area of Rideau Street where they surrounded the 18-wheeler, bus and other vehicles, only allowing officers on the street.
Many officers and protesters were also without masks in the large and growing crowd.
Fireworks also went off throughout the night starting around 9 p.m.
In an earlier warning, by-law said they would be cracking down on the discharging of fireworks.
Police comment
CityNews reached out to the Ottawa police for clarity, and received the following response on the matter:
“The developments for this event remain fluid, and as such, police and the City of Ottawa will provide updates as information is available.”
Police, however, could be seen on their motorcycles in front of Parliament Hill, up Wellington Street and leading the march, with some cruisers on the roads.
There was also a gather of officers at the corner of Rideau Street at Sussex Drive, as well as a handful of paramedic buses sprinkled about.
Two individuals were also seen on top of the 18-wheeler’s front cabin rocking it back and forth.
It is not clear if police addressed the two individuals on the 18-wheeler, but officers could be seen walking throughout the crowd.
According to a tweet issued by Ottawa police just before 9 p.m., several vehicles attempted to occupy a downtown parking lot.
All but one vehicle left the area.
The remaining vehicle was ticketed and towed.
Several vehicles attempted to occupy a downtown parking lot earlier this evening. All but one left the area. The remaining vehicle was towed and the driver trespassed from the property.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 30, 2022
Coming up Saturday
As per the schedule, bikers will muster at St. Laurent Shopping Centre at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 30.
A V4F service will be held at the war memorial at 10 a.m. and then at 11 a.m. bikers will roll out to the memorial.
At 12 p.m., bikes will leave on routes outside the city.
An FCC rally and march at Parliament Hill with Chris Sky will be underway by 2 p.m.
A bike show is on the schedule for 6 p.m., although the location is not yet known.
