Coronavirus: thousands protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in Ottawa
- Many of the demonstrators were protesting against vaccine mandates for truck drivers crossing the Canada-US border
- The protest prompted police to prepare for violence while politicians were advised to lock their doors amid reports their homes may be targeted
Thousands of protesters gathered in Canada’s capital on Saturday to protest against vaccine mandates, masks and lockdowns.
The sounds of honking horns echoed around Ottawa’s downtown core. A convoy of lorries and cars parked around Parliament Hill with some parking on the grounds of the National War Memorial before police asked them to move.
“Parking on this sacred ground that includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a sign of complete disrespect,” Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson tweeted.
Some compared Covid-19 restrictions to fascism and made use of Nazi symbols on upside down Canadian flags. One truck carried a Confederate flag while many carried expletive-laden signs targeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
David Santos said he came from Montreal because he believes the vaccine mandates are not health-related but what he calls a “control thing” by governments.
The convoy of truckers and others prompted police to prepare for the possibility of violence and the government to warn against escalating rhetoric linked to the demonstration. A top parliament security official advised politicians to lock their doors amid reports their private homes may be targeted.
Some of the truckers are, in part, protesting a new rule that took effect on January 15 requiring truckers entering Canada be fully immunised against coronavirus. The United States has imposed the same requirement on truckers entering that country.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance said it appears a number of protesters have no connection to the trucking industry, adding they have a separate agenda to push. The alliance said in a statement that the industry must adapt and comply with this mandate, noting the vast majority of drivers have done so.