‘Freedom Convoy’ protesters must go — or face mass arrest: Canada police – New York Post

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Police in Canada’s capital have warned that “Freedom Convoy” protesters may be “arrested without a warrant” if they continue their efforts – as politicians plead for an end to the ongoing demonstrations against COVID-19 restrictions.

Ottawa police issued a statement Wednesday indicating that the protesters who have paralyzed the capital city since late last month could face mass arrests as the blockades there and at two major ports of entry continue.

“The unlawful act of blocking streets in the downtown core is resulting in people being denied the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of their property,” police said. “You must immediately cease further unlawful activity or you may face charges.”

“You could be arrested without a warrant for this offense if you are a party to the offense or assisting others in the direct or indirect commission in this offense,” police continued.

Protestors block the last entrance to the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, effectively shutting it down as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandates, in Windsor,
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the demonstrations are hurting the nation’s economy.
REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
Protestors block the last entrance to the Ambassador Bridge
Protesters block the last entrance to the Ambassador Bridge as supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
Protesters against vaccine mandates with trucks and other vehicles adorned in signs and Canadian flags gather on ON-3 near Ambassador Bridge on February 9, 2022
About 75 vehicles and 100 protesters remained on the main road leading on and off the bridge.
Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

The protesters’ vehicles may also be seized if they’re arrested and potentially forfeited upon conviction of mischief of property, police said.

“Charges or convictions related to the unlawful activity associated with the demonstrations may lead to denial in crossing the USA border,” Ottawa police said.

At least 23 arrests have been made in Ottawa during the protest, where cops have handed out more than 1,300 tickets. Some 85 criminal investigations are also underway, Canada’s Global News reported late Wednesday.

Protesters against vaccine mandates with trucks and other vehicles adorned in signs and Canadian flags gather on ON-3 near Ambassador Bridge on February 9, 2022 in Windsor, Canada.
Toyota, Ford and Chrysler said the demonstrations had impacted their plants.
Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
Police block Huron Church road which leads to the Ambassador Bridge
Police block Huron Church Road, which leads to the Ambassador Bridge.
REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
Windsor Chief of Police Pam Mizuno and Deputy Chief Frank Providenti walk while vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge
Ottawa police warned that “Freedom Convoy” protesters may face mass arrests.
REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

The stern warning from Ottawa police comes as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the demonstrations in Ottawa and at the Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, are hurting the nation’s economy.

“The blockades in Windsor and Ottawa are endangering jobs, impeding trade, threatening the economy and obstructing our communities,” Trudeau tweeted Wednesday. “They must stop.”

Trudeau said he discussed the matter with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who echoed the prime minister’s take.

“We will continue working together to support our police forces as they manage these situations,” Ford tweeted. “We both agreed this must come to an end.”

The “Freedom Convoy” protests began as a movement against a vaccine requirement.
The “Freedom Convoy” protests began as a movement against a vaccine requirement.
Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
Protestors block the last entrance to the Ambassador Bridge
The protesters’ vehicles may also be seized if they’re arrested.
REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Mich., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022,
Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Mich., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022.
Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press via AP

Protesters have also been set up at a border crossing at Coutts, Alberta, for 10 days — with about 50 trucks there as of Wednesday. More than 400 trucks have taken over downtown Ottawa during the demonstrations, which have no end in sight.

The “Freedom Convoy” protests, which started on Jan. 29, began as a movement against a vaccine requirement for cross-border truckers, but has since grown into a mass revolt against Trudeau’s government and other coronavirus regulations.

Major auto manufacturers said they would suspend production as the protesters blocked inbound Canadian traffic at the Detroit supply route for a third day, while US-bound flow was still moving.

Protesters against vaccine mandates with trucks and other vehicles adorned in signs and Canadian flags gather on ON-3 near Ambassador Bridge on February 9, 2022 in Windsor, Canada.
Protesters against vaccine mandates with trucks and other vehicles adorned in signs and Canadian flags gather on ON-3 near Ambassador Bridge on February 9, 2022, in Windsor, Canada.
Getty Images
Protestors block the last entrance to the Ambassador Bridge
Protesters have also been set up at a border crossing at Coutts, Alberta, for 10 days.
REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
The “Freedom Convoy” protests has grown into a mass revolt against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
The “Freedom Convoy” protests have grown into a mass revolt against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images

Toyota, Ford and Chrysler said the demonstrations had impacted their plants, while supply shortages also forced General Motors to cancel its second shift of the day at a factory near Lansing, Michigan.

“This interruption on the Detroit-Windsor bridge hurts customers, auto workers, supplies, communities and companies on both sides of the border,” Ford said in a statement. “We hope this situation is resolved quickly because it could have widespread impact on all automakers in the US and Canada.”

Hundreds of millions of dollars of products have been held back at the Ambassador Bridge in the last three days. About 75 vehicles and 100 protesters remained on the main road leading on and off the bridge, CBC reported Wednesday.

With Post wires

Source Article from https://nypost.com/2022/02/10/freedom-convoy-protesters-may-face-mass-arrest-canada-police/

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