Canadian Freedom Convoy: Ottawa police say protesters’ actions prompted horse-mounted cops to trample truckers

Police addressed the public Saturday regarding the ongoing trucker Freedom Convoy protests raging in Ottawa, Canada.

The press conference comes on the heels of mass arrests and aggravated clashes between law enforcement and the protesters, who have now grown in numbers to include not only Canadian truck drivers but also members of the public and even Americans who have traveled to join the cause.

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They faced a barrage of resistance, shoving and vitriol. We all saw that the protesters were aggressive with the officers and we needed to use horses at one point,” Police Chief Steven Bell said at the conference. “As a result, we responded this morning by adding helmets and batons to our equipment for the safety of our officers.

He continued, “Our officers continued to face resistance at one point, a flare was ignited by a protester. Officers used a chemical irritant also known as pepper spray, to disperse unlawful demonstrators who were resisting police orders. Sadly, we again saw young children being brought to the unlawful demonstration and to the front of our police.”

Canadian truckers have been protesting in Ottawa since late January calling for an end to COVID-19 mandates. On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history. 

Reporters questioned Bell on rumors and video that purported to show violent clashes between the horse-mounted officers and protesters.

“What I can indicate is there was two members of the protesters who did collide with the horses. They fell down,” Bell told the reporters. “They immediately got back up and started to again engage in their protest and demonstration activity. That is one of the circumstances where as we monitor it, we’re identifying…