Ottawa: Hundreds of trucks and thousands of people blocked the Ottawa Central streets on Saturday as part of the “Freedom Convoy” self-titled vaccine mandate protests needed to cross the US border.
Waving Canadian flags, waving banners demanding “freedom” and shouting slogans against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, truck drivers joined thousands of other angry demonstrators not only by Covid-19 restrictions but with wider dissatisfaction with the government.
A very large roar sounded as hundreds of large trucks, their engines roared, they were heard their air horns non-stop.
Closer to Parliament, the family calmly lined up on cold days, while young people shouted and the parents in the crowd banged on a pan and a pan protested under the Trudeau office window.
Canadian media said the prime minister and his family had been escorted out of their home and was taken to a secret location in the capital, with many wrath of demonstrators directed at Trudeau.
“I want everything to stop – this action is justified,” said one demonstrators, a 31-year-old businessman Philippe Castonguay, outside the parliament building.
He has been driven by seven hours from North Quebec Province to make his feelings known: “Vaccination requirements that lead us to new communities we have never chosen,” he said.
Protests came last week in the western part of Canada, where dozens of truck drivers organized by convoys to travel from Vancouver to Ottawa to demonstrate against relevant covid restrictions, specifically vaccination requirements for truck drivers.
Canada and the United States impose the requirements that in mid-January, affect drivers that cross 5,500 miles (9,000 kilometers) the longest in the world.
Fast rising steam movements such as the original cross-state convoy joining others on the way to the federal capital.
Their Point of Rally Parliament Hill, in the heart of Ottawa.
Stephen Penderess, a 28-year truck driver was not vaccinated from Ontario, said he protested for all Canadians, not just a fellow driver.
“This is actually for everyone …
everyone on the road,” he said.
“It’s all about your free choice.” Angela Benal, a retired 67-year teacher said he wanted “the government to raise steps,” adding that “maintaining useless restrictions.” With a strong police presence around the Federal Capital of the protest took place without a big incident even though there were initial worries there could be violence.
The zone around the parliament was closed for the weekend, and Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly described the situation in the field as “unique, liquid, risky and significant.” Police said they were afraid some demonstrators would stay outside Saturday protest, growling further traffic.
Trudeau, who is currently in isolation after Covid’s exposure, Wednesday defended the vaccination mandate, noting that 90 percent of drivers were vaccinated.
He called a truck driver to the city of “small minority periphery” which did not represent the majority of Canada.
Trudeau said Friday that the driver of the truck driver – which was described as anti-science, anti-government and anti-society – pose a risk not only for themselves but for other Canada too.
The leader of the conservative opposition, Erin O’Toole, urged protesters to remain peaceful.
He has promised to meet the truck driver.
This movement received Thursday’s support from the founder of Tesla and Spacex Elon Musk, which was tweeted, “Canada truck driver ruled.” Until now, 82 percent of Canada aged five or older has been vaccinated against Covid-19.
Among adults, the figure was 90 percent.
Canada Trucking Alliance, a major industrial group, said most truck truck drivers were vaccinated.
This has “really disagree” from the meeting in Ottawa.