“You must leave the area now,” the Ottawa Police Service said in a statement to protesters Wednesday. “Anyone blocking streets or assisting others in the blocking (of) streets, are committing a criminal offence and you may be arrested.”
Many demonstrators have vowed to hold out for as long as necessary, and the federal government has moved to enact emergency powers to freeze financial support of the protests despite opposition in Parliament.
Beginning with a group of truckers arriving in Ottawa in late January objecting to a vaccine mandate, the protest has morphed into a general airing of grievances against all Covid-19 safety protocols.
The incessant noise, shutting down of area businesses and reports of hate crimes and vandalism by protesters have exacerbated the nerves of many residents.
Following criticism for the prolonged situation and the recent stepping down of the chief, Ottawa police added in their statement that anyone coming to the capital to join the protest could have their vehicles seized. A charge or conviction “may lead to denial in crossing the USA border,” the statement said.
The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, a non-profit organization that gets funding from the Ontario government, is urging demonstrators to make care arrangements for their children as police move forward with ending the protest.
“If parents and children are separated following police efforts in ending the demonstration in the downtown core, CASO will work to reunite families as soon as possible,” the organization said in a statement.
The latest moves from police come as border crossing blockades along the Canadian-US border have winded down this week.
There were no delays at the Emerson checkpoint in Manitoba Thursday morning, according to the Canadian Border Services Agency’s website, after the peaceful departure of protesters Wednesday ended the last remaining border disruption. No one was charged, no vehicles were towed and no injuries occurred, officials said….
Source : cnn
