Ottawa The Capital Of Canada Declares A State Of Emergency Amid Second Wave Of ‘Freedom Convoy’ Protests

Early this Sunday, Ottawa declared a state of emergency in retaliation to hundreds of protesters opposing COVID-19 public health and safety laws, which stopped highways and disrupted parts of the capital city for the second time in a row.

According to the Washington Post, the protests included road blockades, fireworks, driving on sidewalks, and truck horn-honking.

Declaring a state of emergency indicates the considerable danger and threat to people’ safety and security presented by the ongoing protests.

“This highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,” Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said in a press release announcing his decision.

Authorities also revealed that during the weekend, penalties were given for a variety of infractions, including the use of fireworks and traffic violations.

Several citations resulted in the seizure and impoundment of automobiles. The Ottawa Police Department issued a statement on Sunday denouncing the aggravate the situation of the protests.

“Overnight, protestors engaged in very disruptive and criminal behavior, endangering public safety and causing unbearable anguish for Ottawa citizens,” police stated.

“We continue to warn protesters not to enter Ottawa and to return home.” The demonstrations began when trucks joined in what was nicknamed the “Freedom Convoy” to oppose the COVID-19 vaccination regulations and protocols.

The protests, have spread across the country, bringing a “significant element” from the United States and sparking “several criminal investigations” for “threatening” and “illegal” behavior, according to Canadian police.

Many participants in the protests, which had grown into a bigger rally against COVID laws, “do not have a tie to the trucking sector,” according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

Declaring an emergency would allow for “greater flexibility within the municipal administration to enable the City of Ottawa to manage business continuity for essential services for its residents and enables a more flexible procurement process, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders,” according to the city of Ottawa.