Ottawa police chief may call in military to remove truckers
Ottawa Chief of Police Peter Sloly has warned that he may request the military’s help to dismantle the Freedom Convoy. The truckers’ convoy, which is protesting Canada’s aggressive COVID-19 mandates, began arriving in Ottawa over the weekend and is currently blockading sections of the U.S.-Canada border until the mandates are reversed.
The Royal Canadian Mounties Police (RCMP) tried to remove the truckers via different methods but to no avail. The RCMP attempted to commission tow trucks to tow the vehicles, but the tow truck companies refused to move against the convoy.
The RCMP also threatened the truckers with arrest and blocked locals from providing them with food and water, but the truckers have not caved and the police have since retreated.
Now, Sloly says he may call in the Canadian Armed Forces. “It is not a decision to be taken lightly,” Sloly said on Wednesday to city officials.
It would likely prove difficult even for the military to dismantle the protests given how many thousands of Canadians have joined the truckers and are showing their support, even assisting the convoy in blocking the Coutts section of the border crossing.
In a circulating video, a trucker breaks down in tears as he talks about the immense support the convoy is receiving from Canadians. In the video, the trucker says that many locals came out to bring bags supplies to the truckers as they enter their fifth day of the protest in the Canadian winter. In the video, the trucker describes what was in the bags.
“I just, uh, got overwhelmed,” says the man. “I opened up one of these bags to see what they had in them and I got punched in the heart. Um, whoever these people are, they had their kids do up a bag with a cookie in it for the truckers.
“And they attached a note with it, put their artwork on there,” the trucker continues with a snuffle. “Sorry, I’m getting emotional again. I want to show you what it was, and this is why we’re doing what we’re doing.”
The trucker moves the camera away to focus on a folded sheet of paper that shows a drawing of a truck with a large, red heart on its side. Underneath are the words, “Reach for the stars we belive [sic] in you.”
The man then opens up the paper to reveal a handwritten note. The man’s voice shakes as he reads it and periodically pauses to collect himself.
“Dear Mr or Mrs Trucker,” the note reads with a small heart drawn. “It’s really awesome that your [sic] standing up for human rights. Im only 11 so I don’t no much about it but I belive whats happening is wronge and I no you can do it! Sincerely, Kate.” The trucker breaks down in a sob.
“And she’s got a cookie in a baggie for a trucker,” he says as he shows the camera a small plastic bag covered with hearts. “This is absolutely amazing and this is why we’re doing it. All you parents out there who know what’s going on, God love you for letting your kids know.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who implemented the mandates that sparked these protests, has fled the city with his family to an undisclosed location.
