Convoy leader arrested as police and protesters clash at downtown Ottawa occupation
Police are clashing with protesters and making several arrests as officers move toward Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa as part of the operation to end the three-week occupation.
Ottawa police were seen moving along Colonel By Drive and Rideau and Wellington streets in “public order units” early Friday afternoon arresting several protesters and towing vehicles.
Police were seen smashing the window of one truck to pull the occupant out and arrest him. Protesters who refused to move were arrested one by one before they were taken away by pairs of officers.
CBC News has confirmed one of the convoy leaders, Pat King, was among those arrested.
Convoy organizer Pat King has been arrested by Ottawa police. King was live-streaming his arrest on Facebook just minutes ago. He, too, is expected to face criminal charges. #ottnews #FreedomConvoyCanada
The public order units included officers in high-visibility yellow jackets moving in large groups, several ranks deep, along Rideau and Colonel By and slowly moving protesters toward the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill.
Behind those ranks of officers were tactical teams wearing green camouflage-type gear. Police horses with mounted officers also moved toward the line of protesters confronting police officers.
Police were also moving a number of black light-armoured vehicles slowly behind the officers who were on foot.
The tense atmosphere was pierced with protesters shouting “Hold the line,” and choruses of “O Canada” while police and protesters faced each other just inches apart. Every five minutes or so, police would step forward as a unit, moving protesters and slowly relocating them.
Despite the heightened tensions, police said they continued to engage in conversations with protesters and regularly provided warnings, through social media and other means, indicating anyone in the “red zone” would be arrested if they didn’t leave.
Protesters put children in harm’s way, police say
One male protester could be seen dancing shirtless as police officers moved in front of the Chatêau Laurier hotel on Wellington Street.
CBC reporters on the ground report police officers removing children from the protest site. One man who was arrested by police was being taken away while his family members, including children, were being led along behind him.
The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa said Friday it was working with police to keep children in the downtown core safe and police confirmed protesters were putting their children in harm’s way.
Protestors have put children between police operations and the unlawful protest site.
The children will be brought to a place of safety.
Most of the protesters refusing to move could be seen recording video of officers holding their positions.
At the same time, a number of protesters settled in for the day nearby with small tents and fires to stay warm, while others rebuilt a stage near Parliament Hill.
Dozens of semi-trucks remained in the early afternoon and protesters tried to take advantage of an overnight winter storm by building a wall of snow.
Ottawa resident Jean DuPont was one of those lighting a fire and he expressed little concern about being arrested, despite the fate of fellow protesters just down the street.
Secure perimeter limits access to downtown core
On Thursday night, police closed more streets and restricted traffic in an effort to keep more protesters from entering the downtown core. Those closures choked off-ramps leading from Highway 417 into the city’s downtown with exits closed from St. Laurent Boulevard to Parkdale Avenue.
Police also established some 100 checkpoints in the hours following a warning from interim police Chief Steve Bell that “action is imminent.”
On Friday morning, Ottawa police issued another warning about attempts to flood the 911 and non-emergency police lines. This is the second instance during the three-week occupation police have talked of organized efforts to try to tie up police resources.
“This endangers lives and is completely unacceptable,” the force wrote on Twitter. “We track calls and will charge anyone deliberately interfering with emergencies.”
It is a crime to unnecessarily call 911 or our non-emergency number (613-236-1222). We track calls and will charge anyone deliberately interfering with emergencies. (2/2)
Emergencies Act debate suspended
Police also issued a warning Friday for media to be cautious in the area of the operation to ensure no journalists are taken into custody.
Ottawa’s light rail service was disrupted due to the downtown lockdown, too, and the Parliament Hill station remains closed.
The House of Commons cancelled its Friday sitting due to expected police action on Wellington Street and other parts of downtown, temporarily suspending the debate on the use of the Emergencies Act.
According to the Speaker’s office, all parties agreed to cancel Friday’s sittings on the advice of parliamentary security. Parliamentarians remain hopeful they will be able resume debate on Saturday.
WATCH | Police move on Ottawa protesters, making arrests:
Officers and police vehicles moved toward protesters in downtown Ottawa Friday morning, making arrests and towing several vehicles in an attempt to end the three-week occupation. 4:00
2 key convoy organizers appear in court Friday
Before the larger set of arrests began police arrested two of the key convoy organizers, Chris Barber and Tamara Lich, on Thursday.
Barber, a 46-year-old from Swift Current, Sask., is expected to appear in court on Friday to face charges of counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order, and counselling to obstruct police.
Lich, a 49-year-old from Medicine Hat, Alta., was charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief. She is also scheduled to appear in court Friday.
King is also expected to face criminal charges.
