The mayor of the Canadian capital, Ottawa, has declared a “state of emergency” as protests continue over health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the city.
The protests began in Ottawa on Saturday, January 29, and have spread to other Canadian cities in recent days. Dozens of truck drivers protesting the forced vaccination to cross the Canadian-US border disrupted traffic in central Ottawa on Sunday as they drove alongside protesters.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson described the current situation in the Canadian capital as “out of control.” He said he needed the help of officials and other government agencies to bring peace to the city.
Criticism of the Ottawa police, meanwhile, has grown over their inability to control the situation. Capital police have warned they will arrest anyone who helps the protesters. Ottawa police hope to prevent the refueling of a protest truck in the city center.
Named the “Caravan of Freedom” because of the pivotal role of truck drivers, the protests were initially against the forced vaccination of drivers against Covid 19 disease, but gradually turned into a movement against the health of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government and his policies.
Demonstrators in Ottawa have said they will continue to protest in downtown Ottawa until restrictions are lifted to prevent the spread of the corona virus.
A number of other Canadian cities, including Toronto, Quebec and Winnipeg, have been protesting against the government’s health measures in recent days against the Covid 19 epidemic.
