Angry truckers have lashed out at Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau after members of their convoy protest were arrested and charged with hate crimes during another weekend of unrest in the country's capital city.
They have also strongly denied that they have ties to ultra-right-wing groups, insisting they are just 'ordinary truckers.'
It's intimidation, nothing else,' Freedom Convoy protestor Guy Meister told DailyMail.com on Monday. 'We are just a bunch of hard working truck drivers who are out here protesting the government's covid mandates.
'We aren't political, we are the working class.'
James Doull, 24, a diesel mechanic who is organizing truckers parked along Wellington Street, where many of the parliamentary and government buildings are located, claimed 'all the stuff put out by Trudeau and the government' about the convoy 'are lies.'
'There is no racism, the truckers aren't vandalizing things,' he told DailyMail.com. 'Fringe groups coming in may be responsible but it's not the truckers themselves.
'We are not right-wing conspiracists, we are hard-working everyday Canadians who just want our freedom back,' said Doull, who lives in Grand Manan, New Brunswick.
Since DailyMail.com arrived in Ottawa last week we have seen no indication of violence or vandalism or any extremist political agenda. In fact, the demonstrations have shown the opposite.
Apart from the incessant honking of their horns, all has been peaceful. The truckers seem to have united the people of Canada in a common goal, to get rid of government mandates.
Freedom Convoy protestor Guy Meister (pictured) of Nova Scotia, has accused the Canadian government of intimidating truckers and painting them in a bad light in a bid to end their protest
Truckers have continued to converge on the capital city where they blocked streets, shot off fireworks and blared horns, in protest of the vaccine mandates, which also cover drivers gong the other way into the US
Since DailyMail.com arrived in Ottawa last week we have seen no indication of violence or vandalism or any extremist political agenda. In fact, the demonstrations have shown the opposite. Supplies brought in for the protesters also include bouncy castles for children as protests continue into the second week
People who came out to support the protestors brought food, clothing and other supplies. Families came with their children in tow, some with newborns, in sub zero temperatures to show their support
Ottawa Police arrested seven people and opened 60 criminal investigations for hate crimes and mischief during another weekend of unrest in the country's capital city
People who came out to support the protestors brought food, clothing and other supplies. Families came with their children in tow, some with newborns, in sub zero temperatures to show their support.
We have not even seen any arguments with the few counter protestors who were in attendance.
Every trucker DailyMail.com spoke with said they came to protest non-violently and their only reason being there was to free Canada of its covid mandates.
Truckers were conscientious of the public streets and kept them free of litter. They also shoveled snow and threw down de-icer making the streets and sidewalks easier to walk on.
Kids were welcomed by the truckers. On several occasions they allowed them to clamber up in their cabs and blow their air horns.
The truckers are protesting rules that say that any unvaccinated drivers have to quarantine for two weeks after crossing the US/Canada border in either direction.
Originally, both countries allowed an exemption for truckers to ease the supply chain crisis that has developed since covid hit, but Canada ended that exemption on January 15 and the United States followed suit a week later.
The convoy, which organizers claimed stretched up to 45 miles long, set out from Prince Rupert, on the Pacific coast of British Columbia, on January 22 and arrived in the nation's capital last week.
Since then, Canadian authorities have taken an increasingly hard line, arresting seven people and opening 60 criminal investigations.
They also seized fuel and supplies for 1,000 vehicles Sunday and Ottawa mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency.
But truckers continued to converge on the capital city where they blocked streets, shot off fireworks and blared horns, in protest of the rules, which also cover drivers gong the other way into the US.
Every trucker DailyMail.com spoke with said they came to protest non-violently and their only reason being there was to free Canada of its covid mandates. Pictured: Truckers gather near Parliament Hill as protests continue in Ottawa Monday
The truckers deny having any political agenda and insist they are simply 'hard-working everyday Canadians who just want our freedom back'
Police also seized fuel and supplies for 1,000 vehicles Sunday and Ottawa mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency. Pictured: People carry fuel cans after cops said they would be targeting truckers' fuel supply
The truckers deny there is any extremist element to their protest, claiming officials are trying to paint them in a negative light
Canadian authorities have taken an increasingly hard line against the 'Freedom Convoy' protesters and have opened over 60 criminal investigations
'The situation at this point is completely out of control,' Mayor Watson said on Sunday. 'The individuals with the protest are calling the shots. They have far more people than we have police officers.'
But the truckers deny there is any extremist element to their protest.
'Justin Trudeau and his government like to paint us protestors as right-wing conspiracist, associated with QAnon. But we aren't. We are far from it,' said Meister, 56, who joined the convoy, driving from his home in Aylesford, Nova Scotia.
'We aren't wackos, racists, or a group of people who vandalize stores and historical monuments or commit hate crimes as we are being portrayed in the media.
'Giving us truckers these labels is an attempt to coerce us to back off our protest, but we won't.
'We are just everyday Canadians who want to get back to work and earn a living so we can put food on our table and support our families.'
Meister said he has no plans to get vaccinated, at least not now, and would rather wait until more is known about the vaccine's long-term effects.
'We don't want to be out here protesting Trudeau's mandates, we would prefer to be back to work,' he said. 'But we can't because of the government mandates.
'I don't have anything personally against him, but his mandates for the past two years have not worked.
'We need to open Canada back up so we can get back to work.
Meister said he would even like to invite Trudeau to his home for lunch so he can see how the other half lives.
'I want to know if he personally knows any truck drivers or farmers?' he said.
Doull also accused authorities of trying to freeze the truckers out by seizing diesel fuel. 'We need to run our trucks to keep warm,' he said.
'The government is involved in nothing more than lies and scare tactics,' said Doull, adding that the seizing of fuel 'nothing more than a photo-op for the general public, by the government which is working in conjunction with the Canadian media.'
'Two years of mandates haven't worked. It's needs to end and Canada needs to open up.'
Police in Ottawa arrested seven people and opened 60 criminal investigations into 'Freedom Convoy' for hate crimes and mischief as they seized fuel and supplies for 1,000 vehicles on Sunday
'Multiple vehicles and fuel have been seized,' police said in the statement, adding they had issued a warning to the public that they could be subject to charges if they were found to be supplying demonstration trucks in the red zone with fuel
For the second weekend in a row, protesters in Ottawa shot off fireworks, drivers blared their horns and streets remained blocked, as Mayor Jim Watson admitted Sunday that authorities were 'outnumbered' and 'losing this battle' against groups who were 'calling the shots.'
Watson declared a state of emergency while the Ottawa Police Service said in a statement Sunday it had launched over 60 criminal investigations in relation to the ongoing protests, including thefts, hate crimes and property damage.
Seven people had been arrested by 9pm Sunday, police said.
Police have relocated some protesters and put up fresh barricades, stating they are 'collecting financial, digital, vehicle registration … and other evidence that will be used in criminal prosecutions.'
A hearing into a proposed class-action lawsuit seeking an injunction to silence the constant honking by truckers will take place on Monday.
Police said a well-organized supply chain - including portable saunas, a community kitchen and bouncy castles for children - has sustained the protesters. It has relied partly on funding from sympathizers in the United States.
A well-organized supply chain - including a massive amount of supplies (pictured), portable saunas, a community kitchen - has sustained the protesters. It has relied partly on funding from sympathizers in the United States, police said
Children are pictured playing hockey in front of the trucks that are blocking streets in downtown Ottawa during the ongoing protests over Covid mandates
Ottawa Police have issued a warning to the public that they could be subject to charges if they were found to be supplying demonstration trucks in the red zone with fuel
The Freedom Convoy was supposed to end on January 29 but as of February 7 truckers are still dominating the downtown area of Ottawa and Toronto
Crowdfunding site GoFundMe has been accused of bowing to left-wing political pressure by freezing a fundraising account holding $8million in donations for the Freedom Convoy.
After the site said it would refund or redirect to charities the vast majority of the millions raised by demonstrators protesting in the Canadian capital, prominent U.S. Republicans like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis complained.
But GoFundMe had already changed its mind and said it would be issuing refunds to all.
The site said it cut off funding for the organizers because it had determined the effort violated the site's terms of service due to unlawful activity.
Last week, Facebook removed a page used to organize a convoy to Washington DC 'for repeatedly violating our policies around QAnon,' Meta, the social media platform's parent company, told Fox News.
Organizers of the Freedom Convoy protests have since turned to a Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo where more than $4.4 million has been raised in just two days.
The movement started as a protest against Canadian vaccine requirement for cross-border truckers but has turned into a rallying point against public health measures and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
Downtown Ottawa, home to Canada's parliament, central bank, and buildings including Trudeau's office, has been largely in lockdown after truckers occupied the streets.
A protester carries the Canadian flag in front of the entrance for the Office of the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa, Canada on Sunday. The protest against Canadian vaccine requirement for cross-border truckers has turned into a rallying point against public health measures and the Prime Minister's government
For the second weekend in a row, protesters shot off fireworks, drivers blared their horns and streets remained blocked, as Mayor Watson admitted Sunday that authorities were 'outnumbered' and 'losing this battle' against groups who were 'calling the shots'
Truckers swarm Parliament Hill in Downtown Ottawa on Sunday, where they continue to protest against the Covid mandates
On Sunday, Mayor Watson said declaring a state of emergency highlighted the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government.
It gives the city some additional powers around procurement and how it delivers services, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.
'Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,' the mayor said in a statement.
Despite the urgency of the declaration, it actually gives little to no extra powers to the mayor - he is unable to move the truckers or get the army in to control the situation.
However, a state of emergency declaration should alert those with more power in government, such as Justin Trudeau to the serious danger of the situation.
Trudeau, who has been in isolation since January 24 when his daughter tested positive for Covid but has since tested positive himself, has been in hiding at an unknown location for several days.
He hasn't publicly spoken out about the truckers since February 2, when he thanked the 'nearly 90 per cent' of truckers who have received their Covid vaccine. It is unclear whether he will do anything to help Ottawa regain control of the Freedom Convoy that is blocking their downtown.
Last week, Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the RCMP had approved Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson's request for Mounties to support city police.
But negotiations with Mounties already in place at the international Alberta blockade have broken down into assaults on officers.
Sympathetic protesters crossed police barricades to join truckers, assaulted officers and even caused a car crash while trying to ram into the Mounties, according to Global News.
The state of emergency announcement came as the city's Police Services Board Chairwoman Diane Deans said the situation had spiraled into 'a nationwide insurrection' with protests spreading from Ottawa to Toronto and Quebec city this weekend.
In footage shot by The4KGuy, Wellington Street outside the Canadian parliament is seen to be completely blocked with trucks lining the length of the street.
People stand in a staging area east of downtown after police raided the truckers' stockpile of fuel, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against coronavirus vaccine mandates, in Ottawa, Ontario, on Sunday night
Some truckers are seen sitting in a stage area outsider of downtown Ottawa on Sunday night
Video footage shot by The 4K Guy at Parliament Hill in Ottawa shows the trucker convoy completely blocking the road
In audio on the footage shot on Sunday night, horns can be heard blaring constantly as the truckers make their mark
Just blocks away, the area looks relatively peaceful with colored trees lighting up the snow
Police officers walk past parked tractors, as truckers and supporters continue to protest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandates, in Ottawa, Ontario, on Sunday
A man halls canisters of fuel in front of Parliament Hill as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Ottawa on Sunday
People sign a shack that was being used as a soup kitchen after agreeing to its removal in Ottawa on Sunday
A man sits on top of a camper in front of Parliament Hill as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Ottawa, Ontario on Sunday
Trucks attempting to drive down University Avenue between Bloor Street and Queen's Park are blocked by a police cruiser during the trucker convoy demonstration in Ottawa on Saturday
A person stands beside jerry gas cans, as truckers and supporters continue to protest COVID vaccine mandates, in Ottawa on Sunday
People carry Canadian flags as they walk past a painting depicting a healthcare professional wearing a mask in Ottawa on Saturday
Ottawa Police have announced that anyone supporting the truckers by bringing gasoline could be arrested
During an emergency meeting of the Ottawa Police Services board on Saturday, Chief Peter Sloly said 'we need an additional surge of resources', after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ruled out deploying troops to the streets.
Meanwhile, an Ottawa resident unable to sleep from the constant honking of horns by Freedom Convoy truckers is suing the protest's organizers.
Zexi Li filed a $9.8million lawsuit in Ontario Superior Court on Friday, seeking damages for 'emotional and mental distress', citing ongoing headaches, sleeping difficulties, difficulty concentrating and interference with quiet enjoyment of her home.
'The Class Members are living in daily torment caused by the incessant blasting of truck horns,' reads the statement of claim.
On Saturday, thousands turned out to support the Freedom Convoy with around 7,000 protesters and 1,000 vehicles coming out onto on the streets of the nation's capital. Ottawa police said there were about 500 vehicles in the city's 'red zone' on Sunday.
Ottawa's Mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency to help deal with an unprecedented 10-day occupation by protesting truckers (file photo)
Police said they had charged four people with hate crimes and were investigating threats against public figures jointly with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The prime minister has said the convoy represented a 'small fringe minority' and the government would not be intimidated. About 90 percent of Canada's cross-border truckers and almost 79 percent of the population has had two COVID-19 vaccine shots.
A senior member of the Liberal government said the ease with which the convoy shut down the area around the parliament and the seeming impotence of police was a 'national humiliation'.
The 'freedom truck convoy' has attracted support from many U.S. Republicans including former President Donald Trump, who called Prime Minister Trudeau a 'far left lunatic' who has 'destroyed Canada with insane Covid mandates.'
'Canada US relations used to be mainly about solving technical issues. Today Canada is unfortunately experiencing radical US politicians involving themselves in Canadian domestic issues. Trump and his followers are a threat not just to the US but to all democracies,' Bruce Heyman, a former U.S. ambassador under President Barack Obama, tweeted.
Heyman said 'under no circumstances should any group in the USA fund disruptive activities in Canada. Period. Full stop.'
Some angry Canadians have taken to Twitter to denounce Justin Trudeau for 'staying in hiding' as Ottawa declares a state of emergency
People gather in the street as a truck leaves during a protest by truckers and supporters against coronavirus disease in Toronto on Saturday
A person gives a thumbs-up as a truck leaves during a protest by truckers and supporters against vaccine mandates, in Toronto
Toronto Police form a perimeter as they escort trucks from Bloor St. and University Ave. Toronto, on Saturday
Supporters clapping towards the truckers during the protest at Queens Park to support the truckers and denounce the government policy of mandatory vaccination in Toronto, Canada on Saturday
A trucker fist bumping a supporter during the protest at Queens Park to support the truckers and denounce the government policy of mandatory vaccination in Toronto, Canada on Saturday
Demonstrators gather for a protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in downtown Toronto, early on Saturday
Demonstrators gather for a protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in downtown Toronto on Saturday
Supporters wave flags as a convoy of trucks leave drive by in Toronto, Canada
Demonstrators gather for a protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in downtown Toronto on Saturday
Some colorful signs were on display as people stood around in the snow on Saturday
Trucks displaying Canadian flags line Bloor near Yorkville on Saturday in Toronto
A supporter waves the maple leaf flag in support of the truckers who were out on the streets of Toronto on Saturday
A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest against mandates related to Covid-19 vaccines and restrictions in Toronto, on Saturday
The CN Tower hovers in the background of people gathered for a protested in downtown Toronto on Saturday
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