Last Updated on February 18, 2022
On Friday, Ottawa police began to ruthlessly crack down on protesters who have peacefully camped out in Ottawa’s city center for over three weeks. The crackdown comes just hours after protest organizers were arrested in downtown Ottawa. Hundreds of police wearing ski masks formed a perimeter around the protesters and have slowly advanced throughout the course of the day, making several arrests. The police advance has been covered by armed SWAT officers, horses and armored vehicles.
After dozens of tow truck companies either refused to help or stood in solidarity with the protesters, Ottawa police brought in unmarked trucks to remove big rigs. Ski-masked drivers with blacked out company insignias and no license plates have been removing trucks from the protest center throughout Friday morning.
The Trudeau regime has previously stated that all trucks present at the protest have had their license plates recorded. Truckers who participated in the protest are also under threat of losing their licenses, as Trudeau alluded to this earlier in the week.
Youtube video depicts heavily armed Ottawa police throwing what appears to be a veteran to the ground as they begin to arrest a crowd gathered on Colonel By Dr. #FreedomConvoyCanada2022
Source: https://t.co/2UxhtkjZOX pic.twitter.com/YxbfWQgl89
— Cosmin Dzsurdzsa (@cosminDZS) February 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/VigilantFox/status/1494733939323416589
Tow trucks hauled away vehicles blockading central Ottawa https://t.co/bPsOlqzXaP pic.twitter.com/1xqc1HPArq
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 18, 2022
The crackdown comes just days after Trudeau invoked Canada’s Emergencies Act for the first time in the nation’s history. The act gives Trudeau’s government sweeping powers, including the ability to freeze financial assets belonging to protesters. Trudeau and Canadian state media such as CBC have repeatedly referred to the protests as an “illegal blockade” while linking them with “far-right groups” and even the Russian government.
Protest leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber released a list of demands shortly before their arrest, which were unanimously peaceful. They called for an end to vaccine mandates, relief for businesses affected by lockdown policies and the right for workers fired over mandates to return to work. The general protest movement has followed their lead throughout the duration of the demonstrations, with no acts of violence reported.
Still, the Trudeau regime has likened them to terrorists, seized their assets and had them arrested.
Ottawa police have barred several journalists from crossing police lines in order to report on the crackdown. “All media who are attending the area, please keep a distance and stay out of police operations for your safety,” the Ottawa Police Service wrote in a tweet. “Anyone found within areas undergoing enforcement may be subject to arrest. There will be a media availability later today at 474 Elgin Street.”
All media who are attending the area, please keep a distance and stay out of police operations for your safety. Anyone found within areas undergoing enforcement may be subject to arrest. There will be a media availability later today at 474 Elgin Street. #ottnews
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 18, 2022
Marked and unmarked police vehicles follow behind the officers on foot.
A resident applauds. #cdnpoli #FreedomConvoy #Ottawa pic.twitter.com/j4mvkW9nrZ
— Caryma Sa'd – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) February 18, 2022
