Ottawa’s interim Police Chief, Steve Bell, says officers are moving slowly and safely respecting charter rights, and they will work day and night to demobilize the demonstration against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and public health orders.

As of mid-afternoon today, 70 people had been arrested and 21 trucks had been towed from the protest camp in downtown Ottawa.

It began as a trucker convoy against the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing the Canada./U.S. border, and is now going into its fourth weekend in downtown Ottawa.

Chief Bell thanks all of the personnel from across the country who have come out to help. He notes that officers have been exceptionally professional while facing taunts and slurs.

Two of the protest leaders were arrested Thursday night. Chris Barber of Swift Current was charged with counselling to commit mischief, counselling to disobey a court order and to obstruct police. Tamara Lich of Medicine Hat is charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief. Another of the leaders, Pat King of Red Deer was arrested today (Fri).

(CJWW)