In the Canadian capital of Ottawa, a large protest of lorry drivers and their supporters against Covid-19 vaccination and epidemiological restrictions has continued through the second weekend and the leadership of the city has declared emergency, British public broadcaster BBC reports.
The protest entitled «Freedom Convoy» was sparked by the introduction in January of a new rule that all lorry drivers have to be vaccinated to cross the US-Canada border, but the protests have grown to vent dissatisfaction with Covid-19. Ottawa’s centre has been paralysed, with vehicles and tents blocking roads as people call for ending all Covid-19 related mandates nationwide and opposing the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mayor of Canada Jim Watson spoke to Canadian radio station CFRA pointing out that the protesters were behaving increasingly «insensitively» by continuously «blaring horns and sirens, [setting off] fireworks and turning it into a party».
Read also: Canada not planning to deploy military against protesting antivaxxer lorry drivers
Watson did not give specific details about what measures he might impose, but police stated on Sunday, January 6, that they would increase law enforcement, including possible arrests of those seeking to aid the protesters by bringing them supplies like fuel, toilet paper and food.
The state of emergency will grant the city additional powers, including access to equipment required by emergency services as the Canadian government has not agreed to the demands of the protesters, BBC reports.
Canadian capital announces emergency of protest of lorry drivers against vaccination, restrictions
