Ottawa Police Seize Fuel From Freedom Convoy Protest Site, Make More Arrests
Police in Canada’s capital have begun to seize fuel and say they have made multiple arrests after issuing a statement saying that those trying to bring supplies to support the thousands of protesters opposed to COVID-19 mandates and restrictions gathered in the city would be arrested.
“IMPORTANT: Anyone attempting to bring material supports (gas, etc.) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest. Enforcement is underway,” Ottawa police said in a statement on social media on Feb. 6 in the early afternoon.
In a statement issued at 9 p.m. local time, police said they have arrested seven people. The arrests were for mischief charges throughout the day.
Police also said they had seized multiple vehicles and fuel containers.
Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sluli admits live on City Council that the mayor and his staff were responsible for closing Go GoFundMe program
Protesters who spoke to The Epoch Times said police didn’t arrest them on Feb. 6 for carrying fuel, but gave them a warning that they would be facing arrest for bringing in fuel to the protest site starting on Feb. 7.
Earlier on Feb. 6, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency, which he said, “highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government.”
Protest organizers say their demonstration is peaceful.
These cops do NOT have a warrant they just stole the fuel and will go down just like go fund me. Truckers and supporters go to: https://t.me/+fCyjEptJvm5mOGM0
The protest started as a demonstration by truckers against the federal government’s requirement for cross-border truck drivers to be vaccinated, but has since evolved into a large movement joined by people from across Canada to oppose different COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. Vehicle convoys came to Ottawa on Jan. 29, and many have stayed in the city, with trucks and other vehicles parked by Parliament Hill. Many protesters say they will remain until the mandates are lifted.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a legal group representing the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, said “police would be breaking the law if police attempt to intimidate or arrest people who bring food or other supplies to truckers who are peacefully exercising their Charter rights and freedoms in Ottawa.”
Canadian Police Officer resigns Listen to him as he reads his Oath of Office. Many of the cops in Ottawa violated their Oath of Office breaking the law and executing illegal orders.
People who bring food, water, gasoline or other supplies to peacefully protesting truckers are not breaking any law. There is no basis for this police threat,” JCCF lawyer Nicholas Wansbutter said in a statement.
“In a free and democratic society that is governed by the rule of law, citizens can freely associate with each other, including the giving and receiving of goods and gifts. There is no law that would allow the Ottawa Police to arrest people for giving fuel or food to another Canadian.”
Former RCMP for Trudeau Danny Bulford has a message about what just happened in Ottawa: “Hold the line”. The world and the CAF are watching the Ottawa Police, OPP and RCMP carrying out illegal orders and violating their Police Oath.
Protest organizers say they are willing to talk with the government, but so far no government representatives have contacted them.
“The first thing they’ve got to do is call us. … We’re sitting here, we’re waiting by the phone,” protest organizer Benjamin Dichter said in a press conference in Ottawa on Feb. 6.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he won’t be meeting with the protesters.
Limin Zhou contributed to this report
