Ottawa police say they have “covered the challenges” of the busy long Canada Day weekend, which included the first in-person celebrations since the start of the pandemic along with protests.
City officials promised a heavy police presence and zero tolerance for those who violate bylaws or cause disturbances as they planned for the return of anti-government and anti-COVID-19 protesters.
A march and gathering at the National War Memorial on Thursday night drew a large crowd of more than 1,000 people, but protests planned for Canada Day itself were much smaller.
Police say they have arrested 12 people and filed 50 criminal charges, although only some appear to be related to the protests.
Four people were arrested Thursday night and three were eventually charged after police said an officer was strangled during an altercation at a war memorial.
Another man was arrested earlier that day for allegedly violating bail conditions barring him from entering Ottawa.
Other incidents include a brawl near LeBreton Flats on Canada Day, where police say a 19-year-old man was arrested at gunpoint after brandishing a knife at RCMP; an alleged assault on the same day in Lower Town, where a 38-year-old man and a 42-year-old man were arrested; along with several gun and drug charges over the weekend.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 5, 2022.
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