Workers outside of the Canadian Parliament have been seen erecting fences as the Freedom Convoy continues.
QUICK FACTS:
- A day after Ottawa police began giving protesters an ultimatum of leaving or being arrested, staff have been seen putting up fences surrounding parliament, Associated Press reported.
- An increase in police officers has also been seen in the area, as crackdowns towards the ongoing protest against mandates in Canada continues.
- “The Ottawa Police Service wants to inform you that under provincial and federal legislation, you will face severe penalties if you do not cease further unlawful activity and remove your vehicle and/or property immediately from all unlawful protest sites,” the police department said in a press release.
OTTAWA POLICE CHIEF STEVE BELL’S MESSAGE TO PROTESTORS:
“Demonstrators must leave the unlawful protest site. Officers are already going truck to truck to advise them of this demand.”
BACKGROUND:
- This new crackdown comes after last week, Police Chief Peter Sloly resigned from his position after receiving criticism for his leadership during the protests.
- He was immediately replaced by interim chief Steve Bell, who promised to put an end to the convoy as soon as possible.
- “Over the last few days we have developed strategies to deal with all possible scenarios,” Bell said. “We want them to do this peacefully and immediately and we are facilitating the departure of anyone who wants to leave.”
