Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being accused of 'blockading' Canada's democracy and stoking division across the country for branding anti-mandate protesters of the Freedom Convoy as 'swastika wavers' after some were seen waving flags during demonstrations that have paralyzed the capital city of Ottawa for over a week.
Demonstrations continued Monday evening into Tuesday as trucks blocked traffic on the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest border crossing to the United States, forcing police to close the bridge that links Detroit, Michigan and the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario.
The convey, which shut down the bridge from Canada to Detroit by nightfall, is showed how demonstrations could affect the United States.
The bridge, which is normally traveled by approximately 8,000 big rigs and 68,000 travelers daily, remained closed on the U.S. side Tuesday morning, according Michigan Department of Transportation.
Ambassador Bridge was listed as 'temporarily closed' just minutes before midnight Monday, according to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website.
By Tuesday morning, Windsor Police said in a tweet that one lane of U.S.-bound traffic is open and can be accessed via the Wyandotte Street West entrance.
The protests at the the Ambassador Bridge follows the week-long demonstrations in opposition to to vaccine mandates, that have paralyzed the Canadian capital's business district and led the mayor to declared a state of emergency and call for 2,000 extra police officers to quell the nightly demonstrations.
Police in Ottawa on Sunday said they have 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. The hate crimes included an individual who urinated on the National War Memorial. One danced on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Several others carried signs and flags with swastikas.
During an emergency debate in Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke out against the trucker protests accusing them of trying to derail Canada's democracy.
Truckers blockade traffic from Canada to the United States at the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest border crossing to the United States, forcing police to close the bridge that links Detroit, Michigan and the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario
Trucks blocked traffic on the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest border crossing to the United States. By Tuesday morning, Windsor Police said in a tweet that one lane of U.S.-bound traffic is open and can be accessed via the Wyandotte Street West entrance
Trucks blocked traffic Monday on the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest border crossing to the United States, following ongoing Freedom Convoy protests, forcing police to close the bridge that links Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario
Freedom Convoy demonstrations continued Monday evening into Tuesday as trucks blocked traffic on the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest border crossing to the United States, forcing police to close the bridge
Webcam footage shows the lack of traffic Tuesday morning on Windsor Plaza heading towards the U.S. at the Ambassador Bridge after it was closed following Monday's truck protests
A map of the bridge that links Detroit, Michigan and the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario, which is normally traveled by approximately 8,000 big rigs and 68,000 travelers daily, remained temporarily closed on the U.S. side Tuesday morning
'Individuals are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens' daily lives,' Trudeau said Monday, while the protest continued outside. 'It has to stop. The people of Ottawa don't deserve to be harassed in their own neighborhoods.'
Trudeau added that he knows everyone is tired of COVID-19 but this is not the way. He said the restrictions won't last forever and noted that Canada has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.
'Canadians trust science,' Trudeau said. 'A few people shouting and waving swastikas does not define who Canadians are.'
Now, conservative leaders, who have repeatedly questioned the prime minister for his handling of the pandemic, are slamming his remarks, accusing him of stoking division during the protests.
'We are at a crisis point, not just outside the doors and across the country, but the country overall,' Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen said. 'And so much of it is because of the things he's said and done.'
Fox News host Tucker Carlson also slammed Trudeau's response, claiming the demonstrators are being treated like terrorists.
'This is a peaceful, political protest. No one has shown any evidence to the contrary. It's not a drug trafficking or human trafficking operation. It's not Al Qaeda,' Carlson said on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight.
'These are Canadian citizens who drive trucks for a living, but they're being treated like a terror group.'
The truckers themselves have strongly denied that they have ties to ultra-right-wing groups, insisting they are just 'ordinary truckers,' he said.
Carlson added, 'GoFundMe announced it would redirect the $10 million raised by supporters of the truckers to charities of its choice, presumably BLM, which it has supported since the very beginning. In other words, GoFundMe planned to steal that money.'
But GoFundMe have said that all donations made to the Freedom Convoy fundraiser would be refunded automatically.
They had previously outlined a plan to distribute the funds to verified charities selected by the Freedom Convoy organizers - not selected by GoFundMe as Carlson claimed - but the organization later decided to refund all donations to 'simplify' the process.
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.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 'It has to stop,' he said. 'Individuals are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens´ daily lives'
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, blocking roads and disturbing the downtown area.
The protests have infuriated people who live around downtown, including neighborhoods near Parliament Hill, the seat of the federal government.
On Monday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Hugh McLean issued a 10-day injunction, effective as of yesterday, banning stationary trucks from honking their horns in the Freedom Convoy.
He said: 'Tooting a horn is not an expression of any great thought I'm aware of,' adding that the local residents' right to peace and quiet outweighed the truckers' right to protest. He said the restrictions won't last forever and noted that Canada has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.
At Monday's parliament meeting, Trudeau insisted that Canadians are united. He also praised the handful of Conservative lawmakers who have called for the protesters to leave Ottawa's streets, while imploring others to follow suit.
'I've seen members of the opposition call for an end to the blockades,' Trudeau said. 'I salute that. This is a time to put national interests ahead of partisan interests.'
Scenes at the Parliament Hill in Downtown Ottawa, where truckers are protesting against the Covid mandates with a clear message to the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
Signs and flags are seen on the front of a truck in Ottawa on Monday
Canada's Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said that American officials should stay out of his country's domestic affairs, joining other Canadian leaders in pushing back against prominent Republicans who offered support for the protests of COVID-19 restrictions that have besieged downtown Ottawa for more than a week.
'We need to be vigilant about potential foreign interference ... Whatever statements may have been made by some foreign official are neither here nor there. We´re Canadian. We have our own set of laws. We will follow them,' Mendicino said.
In a letter to Trudeau and the public safety minister, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said 'what was initially described as a peaceful protest has now turned into a siege of our downtown area' with 400 to 500 trucks.
On Sunday, the mayor declared a state of emergency, and pleaded for almost 2,000 extra police officers to help quell the raucous nightly demonstrations staged by the protesters.
Protests unfolded elsewhere, too.
On Tuesday, hundreds of people drove in convoy to New Zealand's capital and converged outside Parliament as lawmakers reconvened after a summer break.
The mostly unmasked protesters had driven from around the country, and their vehicles clogged the central Wellington streets for hours as they got out to meet and speak on Parliament's forecourt.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern elected not to meet with them as she delivered a speech to lawmakers outlining her priorities for the year.
Among the protesters' grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against the coronavirus, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel.
Many protesters also oppose mask mandates - such as those in stores and among children over about age 8 in school classrooms - and champion the ideal of more 'freedom.'
New Zealand was spared the worst of the pandemic after it closed its borders and implemented strict lockdowns, limiting the spread of the virus. The nation has reported just 53 virus deaths among its population of 5 million.
But some have grown weary of the restrictions. Ardern last week said the country would end its quarantine requirements for incoming travelers in stages as it reopened its borders.
With about 77 percent of New Zealanders fully vaccinated, Ardern has also promised she won't impose more lockdowns.
Health officials have been reporting about 200 new virus cases each day as an outbreak of the omicron variant grows. Fourteen people are currently hospitalized because of the virus.
Police said Tuesday afternoon they hadn't made any arrests and that protest organizers had asked protesters to move their cars and trucks by 5 p.m., ahead of the evening rush hour.
Wellington council officials had earlier indicated they were reluctant to issue tickets or order motorists to move, saying on social media, 'We must consider the safety of our staff and do not want to put them in harm´s way.'
In Alaska, more than 100 truck drivers rallied in support of their counterparts in Canada by driving the 10 miles from Anchorage to Eagle River.
Hundreds of supporters of the convoy also marched across the Brooklyn Bridge Monday in protest against the vaccine mandates. They showed their support by waving the Canada flag and carrying signs that echoed the sentiments of the 'Freedom Convoy' mission as they marched to protest their own mandates.
They marched from Downtown Brooklyn, over the Brooklyn Bridge, to City Hall, chanting, 'No medical tyranny, no vaccine mandates' and 'My body, my choice. The vaccine you will not force.'
Many members of the GOP have made comments supporting the demonstrations, including former President Donald Trump, who called Trudeau a 'far left lunatic' who has 'destroyed Canada with insane COVID mandates.'
A convoy of vehicles block a road near New Zealand's Parliament in Wellington Tuesday, as hundreds of people protesting vaccine and mask mandates drove in convoy
Protesters hold placards as they support the convoy of vehicles blocking New Zealand's Parliament in Wellington, Tuesday. Among the protesters' grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against the coronavirus, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel
A man uses a fuel container to refuel a semi-trailer truck parked in front of an Ottawa Police officer in their vehicle along Wellington Street in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police officers, right, walk past a group of people arranging fuel containers along Wellington Street on Monday. A day earlier, Ottawa Police announced that anyone bringing material support to the protests, including gas, could be arrested
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
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
People carry fuel cans after police said they will be targeting the truckers' fuel supply as truckers and their supporters continue to protest vaccine mandates
Ottawa truckers fill their trucks with gas after a 10-day-long protest by drivers over Covid-19 restrictions that has gridlocked its city center
The Freedom Convoy was supposed to end on January 29 but as of February 8 truckers are still dominating the downtown area of Ottawa and Toronto
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)
Many members of the GOP have made comments supporting the demonstrations, including former President Donald Trump, who called Trudeau a 'far left lunatic' who has 'destroyed Canada with insane COVID mandates.'
Protesters have said they will not leave until all vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. They also called for the removal of Trudeau's government, though it is responsible for few of the restrictive measures, most of which were put in place by provincial governments.
Prominent Republicans including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton complained after crowdfunding site GoFundMe said it would refund the vast majority of the millions of dollars raised by demonstrators.
The site said it cut off funding for protest organizers after determining that their efforts violated the site´s terms of service by engaging in unlawful activity. Ontario Provincial Premier Doug Ford has called the protest an occupation.
In response, Paxton tweeted: 'Patriotic Texans donated to Canadian truckers' worthy cause.' Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said on Fox News that 'government doesn't have the right to force you to comply to their arbitrary mandates.'
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino shot back: 'It is certainly not the concern of the Texas attorney general as to how we in Canada go about our daily lives in accordance with the rule of law.'
'We need to be vigilant about potential foreign interference... Whatever statements may have been made by some foreign official are neither here nor there. We're Canadian. We have our own set of laws. We will follow them,' Mendicino said.
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. A group of police officers walk past a Canadian flag near Parliament Hill, pictured on Monday
Police seized fuel and supplies for 1,000 vehicles Sunday as Ottawa mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency. Pictured: People carry fuel cans after cops said they would be targeting truckers' fuel supply, pictured on Monday
In a letter to Trudeau and the public safety minister, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said 'what was initially described as a peaceful protest has now turned into a siege of our downtown area' with 400 to 500 trucks.
He asked for 2,000 additional police officers. That would nearly double the existing resources of the entire Ottawa Police Service, which has 2,100 police and civilian members.
Dominic LeBlanc, the minister of intergovernmental affairs, blamed the GOP interference for inciting disorderly conduct and helping to fund entities that are not respecting Canadian law. Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair said Paxton was wrong for commenting on it.
Bruce Heyman, a former U.S. ambassador to Canada, said groups in the U.S. need to stop funding and interfering in the domestic affairs of America's neighbor.
On the street in front of Parliament Hill were thousands of signs ranging from 'no more mandates' and 'freedom of choice' to 'truck you Trudeau' and some compared vaccine mandates to fascism.
Trudeau has called the protesters a 'fringe,' but he faces calls by the opposition Conservative party to extend an 'olive branch' to them. Some Conservative lawmakers, including one running to lead the party, have met and posted for pictures with them.
The Freedom convoy truckers take up all three lanes of a street on Monday in a scene that is typical of downtown Ottawa in recent days
Protesters of the Freedom convoy gather near the parliament hill as truckers continue to protest in Ottawa, Canada on Monday
Truckers carry jerrycans to refuel as truckers continue to protest vaccine mandates against Covid-19, in Ottawa. The city has declared a state of emergency after the long protests by truck drivers over vaccine mandates and Covid-19 restrictions
Protesters of the Freedom convoy gather near the parliament hill as truckers continue to protest in Ottawa on Monday
Police take measures while protesters of the Freedom convoy gather near the parliament hill as truckers continue to protest on Monday
People carrying jerry cans are stopped by police on the streets of Ottawa. They had been told that they could face arrest
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