Ottawa declares state of emergency over COVID-19 protests
Ottawa declares state of emergency over the Freedom Convoy protests: Mayor says situation is ‘totally out of control’ and police board chair calls it a ‘nationwide insurrection’
Ottawa’s Mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency to help deal with an unprecedented 10-day occupation by protesting truckersThe protest has shut down much of the core of the Canadian capital with around 7,000 protesters out on the streets over the weekendWatson complained that the demonstrators outnumbered police and controlled the situation, but did not give details of what measures he might imposeOttawa’s Police Services Board Chairwoman said situation had spiraled into ‘a nationwide insurrection’ with protests spreading to Toronto and Quebec City‘Freedom Convoy’ began as a movement against a Canadian vaccine requirement for cross-border truckersTurned into a rallying point against public health measures and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government Ottawa police relocated some protesters and put up fresh barricades with police saying they’re ‘collecting financial, digital, vehicle registration … and other evidence that will be used in criminal prosecutions’ They also announced they would clamp down on people attempting to bring in canisters to refuel the hundreds of large trucks blocking most roads
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The mayor of Canada’s capital declared a state of emergency Sunday and a former U.S. ambassador to Canada said groups in the U.S. must stop interfering in the domestic affairs of America’s neighbor as protesters opposed to COVID-19 restrictions continued to paralyze Ottawa’s downtown.
Mayor Jim Watson said the declaration highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government.
It gives the city some additional powers around procurement and how it delivers services, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.
‘Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,’ the mayor said in a statement.
The announcement came as the city’s Police Services Board Chairwoman Diane Deans said the situation had spiraled into ‘a nationwide insurrection’ with protests spreading from Ottawa to Toronto and Quebec city this weekend.
During an emergency meeting of the Ottawa Police Services board on Saturday, Chief Peter Sloly said ‘we need an additional surge of resources’, after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ruled out deploying troops to the streets.
On Saturday, thousands turned out to support the Freedom Convoy with around 7,000 protesters and 1,000 vehicles coming out onto on the streets of the nation’s capital.
Police officers walk past parked tractors, as truckers and supporters continue to protest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandates, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 6
Protesters walk around trucks parked in the downtown area in protest of COVID-19 restrictions, in Ottawa, Ontario
Trucks attempting to drive down University Avenue between Bloor Street and Queen’s Park are blocked by a police cruiser during the trucker convoy demonstration
People carry Canadian flags as they walk past a painting depicting a healthcare professional wearing a mask
Ottawa’s Mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency to help deal with an unprecedented 10-day occupation by protesting truckers (file photo)
The thousands joined the hundred or so who had remained since last weekend.
Residents of Ottawa are furious at the nonstop blaring of horns, traffic disruption and harassment and fear no end is in sight after the police chief called it a ‘siege’ that he could not manage.
The ‘freedom truck convoy’ has attracted support from many U.S. Republicans including former President Donald Trump, who called Prime Minister Trudeau a ‘far left lunatic’ who has ‘destroyed Canada with insane Covid mandates.’
‘Canada US relations used to be mainly about solving technical issues. Today Canada is unfortunately experiencing radical US politicians involving themselves in Canadian domestic issues. Trump and his followers are a threat not just to the US but to all democracies,’ Bruce Heyman, a former U.S. ambassador under President Barack Obama, tweeted.
Heyman said ‘under no circumstances should any group in the USA fund disruptive activities in Canada. Period. Full stop.’
People wave flags on top of a truck in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa
A person stands beside jerry gas cans, as truckers and supporters continue to protest COVID vaccine mandates, in Ottawa
People carry signs, as truckers and supporters continue to protest COVID vaccine mandates, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 6
A protester walks past a truck parked in the street in the downtown core during a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa, Ontario
A protester in support of masks and vaccines makes their way through a demonstration in support of a trucker convoy in Ottawa protesting COVID-19 restrictions, at Queen’s Park in Toronto
After crowdfunding site GoFundMe said it would refund or redirect to charities the vast majority of the millions raised by demonstrators protesting in the Canadian capital, prominent U.S. Republicans like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis complained.
But GoFundMe had already changed its mind and said it would be issuing refunds to all.
The site said it cut off funding for the organizers because it had determined the effort violated the site´s terms of service due to unlawful activity.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called it an occupation.
‘For some senior American politicians, patriotism means renting a mob to put a G-7 capital under siege,’ tweeted Gerald Butts, a former senior adviser to Trudeau.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxon tweeted: ‘Patriotic Texans donated to Canadian truckers’ worthy cause.’ and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said on Fox News ‘government doesn’t have the right to force you to comply to their arbitrary mandates.’
A man relaxes in his pickup truck as truckers and supporters continue to protest
People sign a shack that was being used as a soup kitchen after agreeing to its removal
A man halls canisters of fuel in front of Parliament Hill as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates
A man sits on top of a camper in front of Parliament Hill as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Ottawa, Ontario
Protesters stand on the top of a truck parked in front of the Parliament buildings during a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions, in Ottawa
What began as a blockade in Ottawa and at key border checkpoints has since spread to cities and towns across Canada
Cruz got into a twitter spat with Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart at the start of the weekend
Vancouver’s Mayor Kennedy Stewart has a message to the convoy: ‘Vancouver doesn’t want you here. Make your point and then go home.’
Cruz got into a twitter spat with Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart at the start of the weekend.
‘As the Mayor of a city with an over 95 per cent vaccination rate, my message to the convoy is this: Vancouver doesn’t want you here. Make your point and then go home.’
Cruz immediately jumped into the fray.
‘Mayor says ‘Vancouver doesn’t want’ truck drivers there. Folks might feel differently with empty shelves.’ Cruz wrote on Friday.
The mayor fired back on Sunday:
‘Can someone tell Ted Cruz our store shelves are fine thanks to the 90% of Canadian truckers who are fully vaccinated,’ Kennedy wrote.
‘Too busy high-fiving all the awesome folks in Vancouver that are helping push back against the #hateconvoy.’
Texas Senator Ted Cruz praised the Canada truckers as ‘heroes’ and accused GoFundMe of taking the crowdfunding page down for political reasons
People gather in protest against COVID-19 mandates and in support of a protest against COVID-19 restrictions taking place in Ottawa, in Edmonton, Alberta
People gather in protest against COVID-19 mandates and in support of a protest against COVID-19 restrictions taking place in Ottawa, in Edmonton, Alberta
People gathered out on the streets in order to show support in Edmonton, Alberta
People gather in protest against COVID-19 mandates and in support of a protest against COVID-19 restrictions taking place in Ottawa, in Edmonton, Alberta
People stand guard in front a shack that was being used as a soup kitchen after police told them it has to be removed as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Ottawa
Earlier on Sunday, Cruz demanded that the Federal Trade Commission open an investigation into GoFundMe.
Appearing on Fox News on Sunday he revealed he sent a letter to the FTC urging the agency to probe the fundraising website for potential ‘deceptive trade practices’ and accused the website of ‘theft.’
He also accused the site of removing the page because it didn’t line up with Silicon Valley ‘politics.’
GoFundMe removed the fundraising page for the Freedom Convoy on Friday and gave donors two weeks to ask for a refund.
A statement released that evening explained: ‘GoFundMe supports peaceful protests and we believe that was the intention of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser when it was first created. We now have evidence from law enforcement that the previously peaceful demonstration has become an occupation, with police reports of violence and other unlawful activity.’
A protester stands on a barricade as trucks continue to block the downtown core in protest of COVID-19 restrictions, in Ottawa, Ontario
Protestors of the vaccine mandates implemented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, take in the atmosphere as they dance on the corner of Sussex and Rideau streets in Ottawa, Canada
Trucks line Bloor near Yorkville on February 5, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. A convoy of truckers and supporters have occupied downtown Ottawa since last Saturday
Supporters wave flags as a convoy of trucks leave from Bloor St. and University Ave. in Toronto, Canada
Supporters wave flags as a convoy of trucks leave in Toronto, Canada. A convoy of truckers and supporters have occupied downtown Ottawa since last Saturday in protest of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, with convoys branching out to other major cities such as Toronto this weekend
Demonstrators gather for a protest against mandates related to Covid-19 vaccines and restrictions in downtown Toronto,
Supporters rally and wave flags near Queens Park in Toronto, Canada. A convoy of truckers and supporters have occupied downtown Ottawa since last Saturday
Supporters honk from their trucks near Queens Park in Toronto, Canada
Protestors gather for a demonstration against mandates related to Covid-19 vaccines and restrictions in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia
Counter protestors gather at Terminal Avenue to block the ‘Freedom Convoy’ in Vancouver
Counter protestors gather at Terminal Avenue to block the ‘Freedom Convoy’ in Vancouver
Participants of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ wait at Terminal Avenue as counter protestors block the road in Vancouver, British Columbia
A counter protester blocks a convoy as truckers and supporters continue to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates, in Vancouver
Supporters gather near the legislature to protest during a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria, British Columbia
After swift backlash for trying to redistribute the funds, the charity site updated users on Twitter that all donors to the convoy would automatically receive refunds.
‘Listen, it is theft on the part of GoFundMe. Let me say — the Canadian truckers are heroes. They are patriots marching for your freedom and for my freedom,’ Cruz told Fox host Maria Bartiromo.
‘Those truck drivers that — God blessed them — they’re defending Canada, but they are defending America as well.’
Cruz praised the truckers for ‘standing up’ to the dismay of ‘big government.’
‘That is courage on display, that the government doesn’t have the right to force you to comply to their arbitrary mandates. And they’re standing up for freedom, and of course, big government hates it and is trying to crush them,’ he said.
‘The corporate media hates it and is trying to silence them, and big tech — look at what GoFundMe did, people gave $10 million to support the Freedom Convoy because they were so proud of the courage of these truck drivers, and the thieves in Silicon Valley decided ‘We don’t like your politics, so A, We will take your money and then B, we’re going to give it to people we like’,’ Cruz alleged.
A truck remains parked on Metcalfe Street with a message condemning the mandates imposed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the Freedom Convoy truck protest on February 5
Demonstrators stage a counter-protest at city hall as truckers and supporters continue to protest against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandates, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 5
‘Listen, if anyone else did that, that is called theft. And so today I sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking that the FTC open an investigation into GoFundMe, into whether they have committed deceptive trade practices because when people gave money, they gave money under the promise it would go to the Freedom Convoy, not to whatever left-wing political ideology GoFundMe and other Silicon Valley companies support.’
He added: ‘They are deceiving consumers and it is wrong.’
In Canada’s largest city, Toronto, police controlled and later ended a much smaller protest by setting up road blocks and preventing any trucks or cars from getting near the provincial legislature. Police also moved in to clear a key intersection in the city.
Many Canadians have been outraged over the crude behavior of the demonstrators. Some protesters set fireworks off on the grounds of the National War Memorial late Friday.
A number have carried signs and flags with swastikas last weekend and compared vaccine mandates to fascism.
Protesters have said they won’t leave until all mandates and COVID-19 restrictions are gone.
They are also calling for the removal of Trudeau’s government, though it is responsible for few of the measures, most of which were put in place by provincial governments.
Trucks and supporters travel down Bloor Street during a demonstration in support of a trucker convoy in Ottawa protesting COVID-19 restrictions, in Toronto
