Thousands of protesters have descended on Parliament Hill and have been rallying against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates for two days.
Organizers and some truckers say there’s no plan to end the demonstrations anytime soon.
CBC News reporter have been out in the crowd throughout the day, he described the scene: “the protest was definitely smaller then yesterday, but there were still thousands here on Parliament Hill. At night, there are still a lot of people out, a lot of truckers that we talked to say they are here for the long haul. And the big question right now with the resumption of Parliament is when and how will this all end.”
For 24 hours, it’s been constant horns, blaring protesters and trucks lining the streets outside Canada’s Parliament buildings.
One of the protester said: “I’m standing. I’m not leaving until the mandates are gone.”
The other said: “It’s not going to end until they do something. It’s not gonna end.”
That is something organizers of the convoy double down on at a press conference, CBC news among the many media outlets not invited to attend.
Convoy organizer said: “as long as you keep fuelling in them. They can sit there for weeks and months, and now we have eight million dollars.”
That money is from the Go Fund Me campaign, a million dollars has been released to fundraisers, but getting fuel to all of these trucks could pose a problem as the perimeter is expanding around Parliament Hill.
The city’s core has been virtually shut down for two days. Restaurants, retail, liquor stores, and the mall all closed. Frustration among residents is growing.
Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson said: “Actions affects residential neighbourhoods, and they’ve been upset and really put out. Quite frankly, they feel they are prisoners in their own home.”
Frustration two over scenes like this, a statue of carry fox targeted protesters dancing on the tomb of the unknown soldier, and staff at a homeless shelter say they were harassed by protesters looking for food.
One arrest has been made, multiple investigations are underway for vandalism, bribery and dangerous operation of motor vehicles.
“What are you going to do to move the trucks?”
Chief Peter Sloly from Ottawa Police Service said: “for those who choose to remain, we will make that assessment, once we understand who is still here.”
“Are you willing to move in and forcibly remove those vehicles if necessary?”
Chief Peter Sloly said: “What we have been doing which is assessing the risk to public, balanced against the rights for people to protest.”
When asked about what the police saying about their plans heading into today, CBC news reporter said: “There are multiple agencies involved and police say that they are going to maintain a large presence through the evening and then assess the situation in the morning. There are also questions about member of parliaments returning to parliament hill and what the security will be for them as parliament resumes in the morning. And already one school has been closed down tomorrow.”
Resource: CBC News