Canadian police have begun mass arrests of Freedom Convoy protesters who had successfully blocked the critical Ambassador Bridge for nearly a week. But now the Canadian government has a whole new problem.
The Windsor Police announced the operation to arrest the Freedom Convoy protesters on Sunday morning.
Enforcement actions continue at the demonstration area with arrests being made. Vehicles being towed. Please continue avoiding the area.
— Windsor Police (@WindsorPolice) February 13, 2022
The police also announced that vehicles were being towed and that Canadians should avoid the area.
Enforcement actions continue at the demonstration area with arrests being made. Vehicles being towed. Please continue avoiding the area.
— Windsor Police (@WindsorPolice) February 13, 2022
The protests were being recorded by journalists until police forcibly expelled them from the area. Sean O’Shea of Global News reported the police arrests.
Police arrested one more protester near the gas station. He wouldn’t leave. Tactical officers then told drivers in the parking lot they’d be towed if they didn’t move along. pic.twitter.com/Ypq0nRA1H9
— 𝚂𝚎á𝚗 𝙾’𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚊 Global News (@ConsumerSOS) February 13, 2022
We saw the second trucker get arrested. Different tone today. pic.twitter.com/4J57xPiEEC
— 𝚂𝚎á𝚗 𝙾’𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚊 Global News (@ConsumerSOS) February 13, 2022
At least two arrests. Blockade is down it appears. pic.twitter.com/d1ltYNlF7G
— 𝚂𝚎á𝚗 𝙾’𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚊 Global News (@ConsumerSOS) February 13, 2022
Ellen Maurro of CBC News also reported arrests.
This man who was blocking the lane with his pick up arrested by police pic.twitter.com/rPT1k1g9u4
— Ellen Mauro (@EMauroCBC) February 13, 2022
Tactical assault vehicles were brought in to intimidate the protesters into complying.
Windsor Police was in charge of clearing the protest. But the RCMP, from my view on the line, had a much more visible role today. For example, they brought their tactical assault vehicle to the front of the protest line to show they meant business. pic.twitter.com/SHO3zDaPFR
— 𝚂𝚎á𝚗 𝙾’𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚊 Global News (@ConsumerSOS) February 13, 2022
The police also cleared nearby protests in support of the Freedom Convoy.
We are are Tecumseh and Huron Church. Protest is cleared. Roadway still controlled by police, mostly RCMP. Their ERT TAV is here. pic.twitter.com/eu2ituxypU
— 𝚂𝚎á𝚗 𝙾’𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚊 Global News (@ConsumerSOS) February 13, 2022
Canadian veterans had earlier stepped in to slow the police clearance down.
Veterans have formed a line between the police and the truckers at the Windsor bridge. ❤ pic.twitter.com/od6xiixIqu
— Stephanie 🇺🇸 (@StephHoover8) February 12, 2022
But the Trudeau government has a whole new problem: For every Ambassador Bridge the Canadian government clears, there will be new border crossing blockades and Freedom Convoy protests.
May I introduce you to Surrey, British Columbia, near the Washington State border. This is going to be like whack-a-mole until Trudeau submits. pic.twitter.com/gvoKCyZLah
— Ezra Levant 🍁🚛 (@ezralevant) February 13, 2022
“May I introduce you to Surrey, British Columbia, near the Washington State border,” Rebel News’ Ezra Levant tweeted. “This is going to be like whack-a-mole until Trudeau submits.”
Indeed, the Washington Post has reported that more protests and border blockades are in progress.
“The protesters continued to block parts of Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, for the third consecutive weekend and staged disruptive blockades at other border crossings in Canada,” Washington Post reported.
“Disruptions have also plagued other vital cross-border arteries — from Coutts, Alberta, which connects to Montana, to Surrey in British Columbia, which connects to Washington state,” WaPo added.
In Toronto, the police are actually blocking off roads to prevent Canadians from having their freedom of movement restricted by the protests.
ROAD CLOSURES: (UPDATE)
⁃ No arrests related to yesterday’s protests
⁃ Out of an abundance of caution, Hospital Row and Queen’s Park remain closed
⁃ All other roads re-opened
⁃ We continue to monitor
⁃ Any updates will be posted here
^ep2— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) February 13, 2022
The Freedom Convoy protests will not end with the clearing of the Ambassador Bridge. The Trudeau government will continue to play ‘whack-a-mole’ with the protesters until their basic rights are respected.
NOW READ:
Canadian Police Announce the Operation to Force Shut Down of Freedom Convoy Has Begun
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OPINION: This article contains commentary which reflects the author's opinion.