Ottawa police began arresting protesters Thursday afternoon after warning of a crackdown. Follow the Star’s live coverage.
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Police have warned that a crackdown is coming in downtown Ottawa as trucker-led convoy protesters continue to cause chaos in the city. This week, Ottawa police Chief Peter Sloly resigned in response to criticism of the police’s response to the protests. Follow the Star’s live coverage.
1:21 p.m. Ottawa police say they will bar anyone from entering the city's "core," just as a massive assault of noise erupted from the so-called "Freedom Convoy" protesters occupying the street in semis and other vehicles in front of Parliament Hill.
In a post on social media, the police said they will only let people enter the city centre for "lawful" reasons, like if they live or have businesses there.
"The unlawful protesters must leave the area and will not be provided access.."
11:46 a.m. The Ottawa police service is warning people who remain entrenched in the occupation in downtown Ottawa that they “face severe penalties” if they don’t remove their vehicles and “cease futher unlawful activity”. The
tweet echoes information on notices handed out by police officers to occupiers near Parliament Hill on Thursday.
11:33 a.m. Federal ministers held a news conference following a debate in the House over the government’s decision to use the Emergencies Act. “We know that it was necessary to give law enforcement and our other officials the tools, authorities and resources that they require to do the job,” said Bill Blair, minister of emergency preparedness. “The use of the financial tools is going to increase in the coming days,” added Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, when asked about the move to freeze accounts by people alleged to have contributed to funding the Ottawa occupation.
11:26 a.m. A number of city vehicles carting more fencing arrive in downtown Ottawa late Thursday morning. City workers started installing fencing near the entrance for Parliament Hill overnight where occupiers have been staged.
10:44 a.m. On Wednesday night, convoy organizer Tamara Lich released a tearful video suggesting she might soon be removed from the demonstration.
