Thousands more protesters, hundreds more trucks expected for Ottawa’s second weekend of trucker protest
Posted Feb 4, 2022 05:13:00 PM.
Hundreds more trucks and thousands more protesters are expected for the second weekend of the trucker convoy protest.
In an update to media on Friday, February 4, Deputy Chief Steve Bell revealed that their intelligence suggests Ottawa can see anywhere between 300 to 400 trucks and big rigs “attempt” to come back into the city.
Along with that is an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 foot participants in supports of the convoy who are expected to join in, as well as up to 1,000 counter-protesters.
“In terms of specific intelligence we have relating to weapons and firearms, we continue to update the city in terms of public safety advisories and conduct investigations in any sort of weapons or threat-related information that we receive.”
Some city councillors have also announced they were organizing a neighbourhood walk-through in response to the protesters.
A citizen patrol started Friday morning, led by councillors Catherine McKenney, Shawn Menard and Jeff Leiper, to promote safety and unity for Ottawa residents.
The walk started at 11 a.m. in Centretown, walking a route that will continue through the weekend.
Coun. McKenney also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the RCMP, requesting that the federal police agency take over operations.
However, McKenney didn’t receive the response they had hoped for in their plea.
Still not a real plan for residential neighbourhoods in the downtown! As long as OPS is lead on the Hill that is their focus. Not Centretown. We need RCMP to assume lead on the Hill so that OPS prioritize residential neighbourhoods. Why is this so difficult? Keep residents safe! https://t.co/luM0Kk8DMF
— Catherine McKenney (they/them) (@cmckenney) February 4, 2022
While the RCMP did say they would provide additional policing support and services, they were not going to take over policing operations at the protest.
– With files from CityNews' Alex Black
