OTTAWA—After Ottawa police warned that those bringing fuel to the protest site at Parliament Hill could be arrested, some protesters on Feb. 7 started walking around the site with empty fuel containers.
Protesters walk around with empty fuel containers after police threatened arrest for bringing fuel to the protest site, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
Signs by Parliament in Ottawa as demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions continue, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
“People got arrested last night for moving fuel, the diesel got confiscated. That’s not right, so this is our protest,” said Ian, who was holding an empty fuel container and would only give his first name.
Police said on Feb. 6 that anyone “attempting to bring material supports (gas, etc.) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest.”
Police also said they made seven arrests throughout the day on Feb. 6 on mischief charges.
Also on Feb. 6, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency, which he said “highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government.” Following Watson’s announcement, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair said the federal government is proposing to convene a “trilateral table” with municipal and provincial governments to deal with the protesters.
Protesters in Ottawa as demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions continue, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
Protesters in Ottawa as demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions continue, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
The protest was started by truckers opposed to COVID-19 vaccination mandates for cross-border travel, but has since evolved into a major movement against all COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Many protesters say they will remain in Ottawa until the mandates are lifted.
Similar protests have started in different parts of Canada, including in Alberta, where a convoy of trucks and other vehicles is blocking a highway near the Canada-U.S. border.
Protesters in Ottawa as demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions continue, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
Protesters in Ottawa as demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions continue, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a legal group representing the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, said “police would be breaking the law if police attempt to intimidate or arrest people who bring food or other supplies to truckers who are peacefully exercising their Charter rights and freedoms in Ottawa.”
“People who bring food, water, gasoline or other supplies to peacefully protesting truckers are not breaking any law. There is no basis for this police threat,” JCCF lawyer Nicholas Wansbutter said in a statement on Feb. 7.
Protesters in Ottawa as demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions continue, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
Protesters in Ottawa as demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions continue, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
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