Ottawa is preparing for the arrival of another convoy of protesters this weekend, just four months after the so-called “Freedom Convoy” began a long week-long blockade of the capital’s center.
The Rolling Thunder Ottawa event will see hundreds of motorcycles and other protesters march through the city’s streets and hold several rallies on Parliament Hill, starting on Friday night.
Read more: Ottawa’s motor convoy “Rolling Thunder” will not be a “replay” of the profession: Mendicino
Local and federal authorities have prepared for the convoy’s arrival by closing roads and increasing police in the area – in an effort to avoid another incident such as a truck protest in February, which authorities called “occupation”.
Here’s what we know about the Rolling Thunder and how the authorities are reacting.
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What is a Rolling Thunder Ottawa?
Ottawa police say at least 500 motorcyclists are expected to take part in the weekend’s event, although organizers said the number could exceed 1,000.
The Rolling Thunder is not clear about the cause they are coming together for, except that they say they will be in Ottawa to “celebrate our freedom peacefully.”
Organizer Neil Sheard said in a video on YouTube posted on Sunday that the motorcycle convoy – which includes several war veterans – was focused on serving at the National War Memorial, which he said was “desecrated” by police during protests. the convoy of freedom in February.
2:11 Special Joint Commission to Review the Use of the Ottawa Emergency Act Special Joint Commission to Review the Use of the Ottawa Emergency Act
Police raised barricades around the memorial after numerous incidents were reported in the first days of the demonstration, including protesters, urinating at the site and dancing to the grave of the unknown warrior. Protesters, many of whom appeared to be veterans, later tore down the fence.
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Sheard said in a video released Wednesday that the ceremony, scheduled for this weekend, aims to allow those veterans, who were later removed from the memorial when police cleared the blockades on February 18 and 19, to “restore dignity” in place and laid a wreath.
The Rolling Thunder website Ottawa says it has partnered with Veterans for Freedom and Freedom Fighters Canada, both of which appear to have links to Freedom Convoy.
Read more: More than 800 RCMP staff approved to help Ottawa police before motorcycle convoy
Veterans for Freedom describes itself on its website as a group of Canadian veterans working to “restore fundamental freedoms for all Canadians” and “uphold Canadian law.”
All members of the group’s steering committee have links to earlier protests, including one who was among the convoy’s spokesmen. Others have appeared in YouTube videos supporting the convoy protesters.
The Freedom Fighters Canada website says it is an organization that “requires the end of all government mandates” and the end of “tyrannical legislation.” Some of its organizers also attended or publicly supported previous protests.
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Sheard said in a video Wednesday that the Rolling Thunder is not affiliated with Freedom Fighters Canada, but added that his group supports freedom of speech and “any group that wants to fight for the freedom of all Canadians.”
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2:19 The inquiry will review the federal government’s use of the Emergency Act during protests against convoys.
According to a schedule posted on the Rolling Thunder website, Freedom Fighters Canada members plan to parade and hold a rally on Parliament Hill on Friday night, followed by afterparties.
On Saturday morning, the Rolling Thunder group intends to lead a convoy of motorcycles through the streets of downtown Ottawa around Parliament Hill before serving at the National War Memorial.
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Freedom Fighters Canada will then hold another march and rally on Parliament Hill on Saturday afternoon, featuring Chris Skye as a “special guest”.
Read more: Ottawa police prepare for new convoy protest, ban on downtown vehicles
Skye, also known as Chris Sacocha, has been involved in several protests against COVID-19 mandates across the country and has been arrested in Ontario and Manitoba for violating public health orders.
He was also charged by Toronto police last year with making death threats that court documents revealed were against a number of politicians, including Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford and other prime ministers.
Sheard said on Wednesday that he and the Rolling Thunder were not affiliated with Saccoccia or anyone else speaking at the freedom fighters’ rallies, but reiterated his support for freedom of speech.
The weekend is due to end with a church service for motorcyclists on Sunday morning.
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How the police reacted
Ottawa police said Monday they would not allow vehicles in the area around Parliament Hill or the National War Memorial as part of protests, including the Rolling Thunder.
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Sheard warned on Sunday that “free for all” if motorcyclists do not have access to the streets around Parliament Hill, adding that the safety of his group and Ottawa citizens is at stake. He also said he expected the protest to be peaceful and dignified.
Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said the police service was “significantly concerned” that not all members of the convoy would follow the organizer’s plans and prepared for the possibility of protesters trying to dig in for days or weeks, as they did in February.
“Our planning response is designed specifically to make sure this doesn’t happen,” Bell told reporters Monday.
Read more: Convoy organizer warns of “free for all” if police ban protests in downtown Ottawa
Additional officers will be present to enforce road closures and arrest protesters, if necessary, along with members of the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police and other city police departments.
On Wednesday, the Ottawa Police Council approved a request to recruit 200 additional RCMP staff to support local efforts, if necessary, and to re-appoint 631 officers who received special police status during the Freedom protests. Convoy.
Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday, Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino said the Rolling Thunder convoy would not be a “replay” of the Freedom Convoy protests in January and February.
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“We will provide the tools and resources that law enforcement agencies need to comply with the law,” he said.
“We don’t want to see anything in the form of illegal occupation here in Ottawa again.
Sheard said in a statement posted on the Rolling Thunder website on Monday that the group “does not support blockades, obstruction of the police in the performance of their duties, property damage or hatred and rage against Ottawa residents.”
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