A state of emergency has been declared in Canada’s capital Ottawa as a convoy of truckers protesting against Covid rules continues to paralyse the city.
Mayor Jim Watson said the move ‘reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents’ posed by the demonstration, which began 11 days ago.
And he pleaded for support ‘from other jurisdictions and levels of government’ as thousands more joined the cause over the weekend.
The so-called Freedom Convoy began as a protest against a vaccine requirement for truckers crossing the US border but has turned into a mass rally against the Canadian government over other coronavirus regulations.
Residents of Ottawa are furious at the nonstop blaring of horns, traffic disruption and harassment. Police said they were dealing with more than 60 criminal investigations, with alleged offences including ‘mischief, thefts, hate crimes and property damage’.
Officers have ramped up enforcement, announcing anyone bringing ‘material aid’ such as fuel to protesters could be arrested.
The convoy has attracted support from many US Republicans including former president Donald Trump, who called prime minister Justin Trudeau (pictured above) a ‘far left lunatic’ who has ‘destroyed Canada with insane Covid mandates’.
But Bruce Heyman, a former US ambassador, tweeted: ‘Canada is unfortunately experiencing radical US politicians involving themselves in Canadian domestic issues. Trump and his followers are a threat not just to the US but to all democracies.’
A state of emergency gives the city extra powers, including access to equipment required by frontline workers and emergency services.
Meanwhile, the crowdfunding site GoFundMe has taken down the convoy’s page and said it would refund donations due to ‘unlawful activity’.
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