Canadian police arrest two leaders of protesting truckers
The police began arresting protesters Friday in a bid to end weeks of gridlock in Canada’s capital from demonstrations sparked by vaccination requirements and other grievances. Some protesters surrendered and were taken into custody, police said.
Police arrested two protest leaders, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, who are set to appear in court. Among those arrested Thursday night was Tamara Lich, 47, one of the protests’ main organizers. Lich emerged as the public face and the most visible leader of the trucker convoy against pandemic restrictions.
“The action is imminent,” said interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell. “We absolutely are committed to end this unlawful demonstration.” Police continued negotiating with the protesters and trying to persuade them to go home, Bell said. “We want this demonstration to end peacefully,” he said, but added: “If they do not peacefully leave, we have plans.”
Hundreds of truckers clogging Canada’s capital appeared unmoved, defiantly blasting their horns despite the risk of arrest, seizure of their vehicles and other penalties.
Over the past weeks, Canadian authorities had hesitated to move against many of the protesters around the country due to fear of violence.
What is the protest about?
Since late January, hundreds of heavy-duty trucks and other vehicles have parked in downtown Ottawa by protestors decrying vaccine mandates for truckers and other COVID-19 restrictions.
The ‘Freedom Convoy’ started as a truckers’ protest by drivers against vaccine mandates imposed by both Canada and the US but over the days it attracted support from many Canadians who say they are fed up with the coronavirus social restrictions and vaccine mandates. Many protestors demanded that rules be abolished requiring vaccination to either work, travel or eat at a local pub. Though vast majority of Canadians are vaccinated and COVID-19 death rate is one-third that of the United States, but COVID-19 health precautions are gradually falling away in Canada.
Many Canadian officials said the continued protests posed a threat to public security and the economy. Canadian prime minister warned that the blockades at border crossings are threatening Canada’s economic recovery. “Blockades, illegal demonstrations are unacceptable, and are negatively impacting businesses and manufacturers,” Trudeau said, adding that “We must do everything to bring them to an end.”
Canadian police said that they had made 26 arrests, issued 2,600 tickets and there140 criminal investigations underway since the start of protest through Saturday.
