Arrests made during first night of ‘Rolling Thunder’ convoy
Posted Apr 30, 2022 01:14:31 AM.
Several people have been arrested on Rideau Street during the kickoff events of the “Rolling Thunder” convoy.
Ottawa police confirmed the news in a tweet issued shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, April 29.
Police remain on scene to maintain safety.
“Officers are dealing with an aggressive crowd on Rideau Street,” the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) tweeted. “Additional officers are being deployed to assist.”
Officers are dealing with an aggressive crowd on Rideau Street. Additional officers are being deployed to assist.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 29, 2022
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
Police ask that people remain peaceful and follow police direction as they work to clear the area of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive.
OPS did not provide specifics about the arrests.
We're working with our partners to manage a demonstration near the corner of Rideau and Sussex.
We are asking that people remain peaceful and follow police directions as they work to clear the area.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 29, 2022
Many of the protesters were also part of the three-week demonstration that gridlocked Ottawa’s downtown with big rigs, prompting the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time, and ended after hundreds of police officers moved in to disperse the crowds, making dozens of arrests.
Before protesters arrived Friday, Ottawa police vowed this protest would be different, and that protesters would not be allowed to get a foothold for a prolonged occupation this time.
They called in more than 800 reinforcements from the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police and regional police services to guard every major downtown intersection and prevent protesters from bringing vehicles into the core.
The “Rolling Thunder” group had not initially been clear about the cause they’re rallying for, except to say they would “peacefully celebrate our freedom,” and they oppose the removal of veterans from the National War Memorial during the “Freedom Convoy.”
– With files from The Canadian Press
