Ottawa police arrest the remaining protesters downtown after weeks of protests. On Friday, the police has already made 100 arrests and 59 vehicles were confiscated. Wellington Street is now cleared and things are being restored to normalcy.
After long weeks of protests and blockages, the police have cleared the protesters. It began when the truckers protested the vaccination mandate. They did not agree with the mandatory quarantine or vaccination for those returning from the border.
“Protesters continue to be aggressive and assaultive on officers. They are refusing to comply with the orders to move,” police tweeted Saturday about 12:20 p.m. ET. “You will have seen officers use a chemical irritant in an effort to stop the assaultive behavior and for officer safety.”
Some protesters were wearing armor and carrying grenades and fireworks. “One protester launched a gas canister and was arrested,” Ottawa police said.
“We were slow and methodical, yet you were assaultive and aggressive with officers and the horses. Based on your behavior, we are responding by including helmets and batons for our safety,” police added.
There were also reports of protesters using children to prevent police from moving in. “This is a reminder if you bring a minor with you to an unlawful protest you may be charged and be fined up to $5000 and potentially spend up to five years in prison,” police said in a tweet.