Large numbers of police officers are moving in on protesters in downtown Ottawa and making arrests — including high profile organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber and Pat King — during an intense clash with the demonstrators who have so far refused to leave the area.
Ottawa police say they have made 70 arrests as of Friday afternoon and towed at least 21 vehicles.
During a Friday afternoon press conference, Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell called the plan to move in on protesters “methodical” and well thought out, noting officers had control of the situation on the ground.
“We will run this operation 24 hours a day until the residents and community have their city back,” Bell said.
Between police and protesters, Bell said there was only one minor injury to an officer who was quickly treated.
However, as mounted police advanced on protesters on Rideau Street, tensions escalated quickly. CTV News witnessed at least one protester who appeared to be injured carried away by others after being pepper sprayed by police. Another claimed she was punched by an officer.
On Twitter, Ottawa Police accused protesters of assaulting officers and attempting to remove officers’ weapons as police faced off with protesters.
“Protesters are assaulting officers, have attempted to remove officer’s weapons. All means of de-escalation have been used to move forward in our goal of returning Ottawa to it’s normalcy,” read the tweet.
Protesters are assaulting officers, have attempted to remove officer’s weapons. All means of de-escalation have been used to move forward in our goal of returning Ottawa to it’s normalcy. #ottawa #ottnews
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 18, 2022
Bell added that the emergency measures declared at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels are all being used in order to conduct arrests.
"Without the authorities being provided to us from these various pieces of legislation, we wouldn’t be able to do the work we’re doing today," he said.
Among those arrested is convoy organizer Pat King, who livestreamed his arrest on Facebook.
He is seen in a vehicle with at least two other people as an officer asks him to step out. A second officer is seen on the passenger side of the vehicle.
King responds by saying he would like to call his lawyer right away.
"I’m being arrested. We’ll talk to you guys soon," he says before the video ends.
- Live updates: Latest from the convoy protest in Ottawa
King asked demonstrators to walk to Parliament Hill and for trucks to jackknife in front of tow trucks. He also threatened to find out which companies drivers belong to, accusing drivers of "career suicide."
He later asked drivers to retreat from downtown Ottawa to a truck stop, but also said that those who want to go to Parliament Hill on foot should do so.
Another organizer, former RCMP officer Daniel Bulford, was also arrested Friday afternoon after turning himself in near the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel.
Earlier in the day, Ottawa police announced charges were laid against two other convoy organizers, as efforts ramp up to arrest those who have camped out in the city’s downtown for weeks, and tow their vehicles.
Christopher John Barber, 46, of Swift Current, Sask., who police arrested Thursday night, has been charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order and counselling to commit the offence of obstructing police.
Fellow organizer Tamara Lich, 49, of Medicine Hat, Alta., also is charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief.
Both are scheduled to appear in court today. The charges against them have not been proven in court.
Meanwhile, in Ottawa’s downtown, images from the morning showed police moving slowly on a relatively smaller line of protesters, with some demonstrators being pulled out of the group and onto the ground before being arrested.
Protesters have linked arms, standing face-to-face with police while chanting "freedom," "hold the line," "my body, my choice" and singing the Canadian national anthem.
Others have chanted, "shame," "traitor," and "choose your side," as well as, "you are working for a dictator," "we are peaceful demonstrators," and "this is illegal."
Some police have been seen on horseback and on the rooftops of buildings. More officers can be seen in military green carrying riot gear, including gas masks and tear-gas guns.
CTV News witnessed police break into a camper van. A person later emerged before being arrested.
Police have accused protesters of putting children between their operations and the protest site, adding, "The children will be brought to a place of safety."xjmtzyw
CTV News has seen some children within the larger protest. Trucks also have been seen leaving the main protest area.
As of Friday evening, at least three semis that were parked parallel to Parliament Hill had left, with one remaining driver saying the vehicles relocated elsewhere.
Police are warning anyone remaining downtown could have their vehicle towed, even if they want to leave but are boxed in.
Protesters, meanwhile, have set up snow barricades across roads just south of Wellington Street, including one outside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office that has hockey sticks poking out the top.
Despite police attempts to warn demonstrators of potential arrests if they remain in the city’s downtown core, many have vowed to stay and, as some organizers have suggested, "hold the line."
Promising a very different weekend for the residents of Ottawa, police appeared to take a stronger approach to the downtown demonstrations, setting up more than 100 checkpoints and only permitting entry of people who work, live or have a "lawful reason" to be there. Workers also installed fencing around Parliament on Thursday.
The arrests began hours after Bell, who replaced former police chief Peter Sloly this week, warned that action to remove demonstrators was "imminent."
Police and government officials have often referred to the protests as an unlawful "occupation."
"We want to end this unlawful protest peacefully and safely," Bell said.
He has said previously that some of the techniques police are prepared to use "are not what we’re used to seeing in Ottawa."
Officers from across Ontario and Quebec, as well as the RCMP, have joined Ottawa police in a bid to end the protests.
Ottawa police also say another effort to flood their 911 and non-emergency reporting lines has occurred. Police reported a similar effort last week.
HOUSE POSTPONES EMERGENCIES ACT DEBATE
The latest warnings and arrests come following the federal government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act on Monday, the first time it has been used since it became law in 1988.
Under the act, police say anyone coming to Ottawa to join the protests is breaking the law.
Powers granted under the act include a ban on public assemblies deemed to be unlawful and the ability to freeze protesters’ bank accounts without court orders.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is seeking a judicial review of the government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act, arguing the measures are unconstitutional.
Federal ministers held a press conference Friday afternoon to provide an update on the Emergencies Act and the events unfolding in Ottawa.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland called it a day of "real sorrow" but also "determination."
"It’s painful for me that this is happening in Canada. I think it is painful for a lot of Canadians," she said.
"I think we see our body politic really being violated by an illegal occupation of our capital, by blockades of our essential trade corridors, so that is really sad."
Freeland acknowledged that while removing protests and blockades is a first step, the frustration of some Canadians across the country will persist and that Canada must work to "heal" divides.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said there have been "encouraging" developments in the last 24 hours and thanked law enforcement for taking action.
The House of Commons began debating the government’s use of the Emergencies Act on Thursday.
While the powers granted by the act are in effect, the House and Senate must confirm the decision to use the legislation.
The Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois have said they will not support it, while the NDP have signalled they will.
Although some protesters have called for the ouster of the Liberal government, even offering to work with opposition parties to make that happen, none of the opposition parties has shown any sign they would consider it.
The House was expected to continue debate on the Emergencies Act today. However, a note from House Speaker Anthony Rota says the scheduled sitting has been cancelled due to a police operation expected to take place by the Hill and other areas of the downtown core.
Government House leader Mark Holland said in a statement that parties are hoping the House can reopen Saturday to continue debate, with a final vote held early next week.
The Senate also issued a notice saying it will remain adjourned until Monday at 2 p.m. local time.
The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa has urged parents involved in the demonstrations to make "necessary alternate care arrangements" should they be separated from their children, as the Emergencies Act prohibits children from participating in the protests. Ottawa police have previously estimated that about one-quarter of vehicles parked downtown have children in them.
The aid society says as of Friday morning, it has not had to intervene in a situation involving a child connected to the demonstration.
MORE PROTESTS EXPECTED ACROSS CANADA
Elsewhere in the country, authorities are preparing for continued protests in their communities, with protesters in the Maritimes planning more convoys and rallies this weekend.
Toronto police say they will deploy more officers downtown due to the events in Ottawa.
RCMP in Saskatchewan will monitor the province’s international border crossings with the United States in response to planned demonstrations this weekend.
Quebec City is preparing for a protest this weekend. Protesters in Winnipeg, meanwhile, have agreed to move further away from the Manitoba legislature.
Protests and blockades at or near border crossings in Windsor, Ont.; Emerson, Man.; Coutts, Alta.; and Surrey, B.C., have ended.
Police made multiple arrests in Windsor and Surrey. Officers also intercepted a suspected convoy heading to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor on Wednesday.
The City of Windsor and others are currently seeking an extension to a court injunction related to the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge.
In the case of Coutts, police seized a cache of weapons and ammunition from a smaller group involved in the larger protest and have charged four individuals with conspiracy to commit murder. Gear seized from some of those arrested had patches displaying a symbol of the Diagolon far-right extremist group.
RELATED IMAGESview larger image
A protester sings the national anthem as they are taken into custody by police officers on Colonel By Drive near the truck blockade in Ottawa, Feb. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Police encounter protesters near the trucks parked on Capitol Hill in Ottawa, Feb. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Robert Bumsted)
Police officers on horseback gather near the site of a trucker blockade in Ottawa, Feb. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Ottawa police officers move in on downtown protesters, Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.
Ottawa police officers move in on downtown protesters, Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.
Tamara Lich is arrested in Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022
Police officers enter a blockade protest truck parked in downtown Ottawa, Feb. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Police make an arrest after a person interfered with a police operation, during an ongoing protest against COVID-19 measures that has grown into a broader anti-government demonstration, in Ottawa, on Feb. 17, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
