Ottawa, February 20: Officers took a more aggressive approach to “Freedom Convoy” demonstrators on Saturday, carrying batons, wearing helmets, using pepper spray, and deploying the Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) after demonstrators allegedly assaulted police with weapons.
The escalation in enforcement marks the fourth straight weekend of demonstrations in the nation’s capital, where protesters have called for an end to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and pandemic restrictions, and in some cases, for a new government to be installed.
Police arrested more than 100 people on Friday and 47 on Saturday. As of Saturday afternoon, police say 53 vehicles had been towed.
The size of the protests has diminished over the last few days after some demonstrators chose to leave with their vehicles.
Police cleared protesters from Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill on Saturday for the first time since the protests began on Jan. 28.
Interim Ottawa police Chief Steve Bell told reporters that while he couldn’t give an estimate on when residents will have their streets back, he said the operation will move forward to remove protesters “peacefully.”
He also defended the tactics used by police, saying there will be an opportunity to review all complaints made by those who feel officers used excessive force.
Parliamentarians resumed debate Saturday on the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act, which among other things, has banned protests deemed to be illegal and frozen the bank accounts of some of those involved in the “Freedom Convoy.”
The parliamentary precinct went into a “hold and secure” position Saturday in response to the ongoing police operation, meaning the doors were locked and access was interrupted for some.
A number of key “Freedom Convoy” organizers and influencers also have been charged.
