Canada police make first arrest at US border bridge protest as blockade continues
- International trade has snarled after demonstrators opposing pandemic curbs occupied the Ambassador Bridge for the fifth straight day
- While police successfully pushed back protesters from the foot of the bridge, more people were streaming into the area
Despite a court order to end the occupation and a state of emergency imposed by the province of Ontario, home to the city of Windsor, police have failed to disperse the crowd and resume cross-border traffic.
Police moved in early on Saturday, pushing protesters back from the foot of the bridge, but more people streamed into the area in the afternoon and the operation appeared to have stalled. Late on Saturday, Windsor Police arrested a 27-year old man for a criminal offence in relation to the demonstration.
“I am very hopeful still that police can … try and get to these folks in a reasonable way and have them understand that it’s time to move on,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told CBC News. “We can no longer afford as a country to keep it closed.”
The bridge carries about US$360 million a day in two-way cargoes – 25 per cent of the value of all US-Canada goods trade.
Concrete barricades have been set up in front of the police near the bridge to keep protesters from reclaiming any ground.
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