Ottawa will not tolerate another occupation, biker convoy warned
‘Rolling Thunder’ group plans to ‘peacefully celebrate’ freedom
Ottawa’s interim police chief is warning that the city will not tolerate any sort of longer-term occupation of the capital as hundreds of motorcyclists prepare to descend on the city starting Friday.
During a briefing on Thursday, interim chief Steve Bell told reporters that organizers of the “Rolling Thunder” convoy have said they plan to leave the capital by Sunday. If they don’t, he added, his officers are ready to act.
“We’ve been really clear: We’re not going to tolerate any sort of unlawful activity that indicates any sort of longer-term occupation of any area of our city,” Bell said. “We will be very responsive and very proactive in identifying and dismantling any sort (of encampments).”
The warning came as Ottawa police and residents, many still shaken by the so-called “Freedom Convoy” that occupied the city’s downtown core for more than three weeks in February, prepare for another round of disruptions and protests.
The “Rolling Thunder” group has not been clear about the cause they’re rallying for, except to say that they will be in Ottawa to “peacefully celebrate our freedom.” However, the organization has partnered with several groups apparently linked to the February convoy protests.
That occupation disrupted traffic, forced businesses to close, and sparked complaints of intimidation, harassment and hateful conduct. Police chief Peter Sloly resigned after many residents criticized police for not taking a harder line with the protesters.
It ended after the federal Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act, and police moved in to detain and arrest dozens of people.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reflected Thursday on the last protest convoy in remarks at an event for Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust
Remembrance Day.
“Earlier this year, our country and people around the world were shocked and dismayed to see Nazi imagery displayed in our nation’s capital,” he said.
“For the Jewish community and for all Canadians, those images were deeply disturbing.”
Bell, who has promised a heavy police presence this weekend, said the service has learned a lot from that experience. He said the hate crimes unit has already been involved in preparing for the event and anyone displaying hateful symbols will be charged.
‘‘ We will be very responsive … in identifying and dismantling any sort (of encampments).
STEVE BELL INTERIM POLICE CHIEF