Canada Day: Flags, celebrities, gather on the hills. Convoy supporters and Articles of Incorporation officers in minor clashes. Family picnic in Strascona Park has been cancelled

The first "freedom" between authorities and "freedom" protesters The "clash" occurred in the middle-the afternoon when city ordinance authorities tried to issue tickets to protesters who set up a table on Wellington Street to sell free goods.

The group of "free convoy" supporters is still dozens, but it has grown as the days went by. They clashed with a photographer trying to take a picture, chanting "freedom" and portraying someone "awakening Canada" with chalk on the street.

"I'm here for freedom of choice," said a man in a "free putt king" shirt.

"Jabs are poisonous," said a man calling himself Z, who was worried about being tracked and did not bring his cell phone to the area.

"They are looking at me," he said.

At one point, a group of women in arrogant shirts to point to the Prime Minister set up a table handing out buttons that Justin Trudeau said was treason.

Bylaws officers arrived and talked to the women to discuss whether they should issue tickets and order the dismantling of the table. The interaction attracted the crowd and dozens of protesters surrounded the officer. The women said the table was for religious ceremonies and the crowd took off their hats and prayed.

Bylaws When the executive officer left without issuing a ticket, the crowd cheered and chanted "freedom."

At the beginning of the city officials week Warned that all sorts of "hateful" messages would be treated rigorously in the activity.

Otherwise, the Canadian flag was prevalent on Friday's Wellington Street, but unlike winter protests, this time there were few "freedom" screams and almost no horns. did not.

On Friday morning, police officers from several police agencies waited and a tow truck was parked on a side street near downtown.

The crowd grew all morning and most people seemed excited to celebrate the first major face-to-face celebration of Canada Day since the pandemic began.

Parliamentary protection service personnel checked the bags and used a handheld metal detector to screen out those who were about to enter the parliamentary hills. Weapons, alcohol, tents and barbecues were among the banned items on the hill. Signs and banners are allowed, but only if they are made of paperboard or cloth.

The Canadian flag was also welcomed, but the authorities warned on social media, not the flagpole.

There are dozens of "Freedom Convoy" supporters along Wellington Street who did not dominate the crowd. They raised a flag with a familiar descriptive slogan for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a poster against the vaccine. Non-protesting delights treated them as curiosity and took small groups of photos and videos.

On Wellington Street, Andrew Larch wore an elaborate robe sewn from the Canadian flag.

"I love Canada," he said.

He attended Canada Day for the past two years and wore a mask to keep distance.

"It's Canada, we get over things," he said. "I'm really happy to be back."

The Canadian flag-covered men and women laughed at the list of banned items on the hills.

"This is not Canada," the woman said. "This is shameful."

Meanwhile, at Lebreton Flats, all new homes for Canada Day celebrations have parties and celebrations without clearly showing anyone's thoughts on vaccines and obligations. was doing.

Musicians and politicians alike went up to the main stage, and people saw, heard, and nodded hot dogs and lemonade. For example, an information booth has been set up in case a visitor has a good time to look up GoodLife Fitness membership, or if they're wondering what Grain Farmers in Ontario are doing. ..

Dominique Tranbray was a big hit, especially for his children, as he has been for the past few years. And although this year was the eighth year, except for the two years when the ceremony was held indoors, Quebec City residents dressed as "Captain Canada" to spread their birthday wishes.

"I'm very proud of my country doing this just because I've been in the army for 17 years. I meet people all over Canada and abroad. I traveled a lot for. It's very nice to come here just to celebrate Canada's birthday. And you know, all the differences we have in Canada are our country.

Until the very end, Mr. Trenbray plans to visit other places where freedom-themed protesters are also cheering among them. He said he was doing it.

"I'm not political," he said. "Today I'm going there to meet all the Canadians. According to the organizers, thePolice Guard Family Day picnic scheduled for Friday at Strascona Park has been cancelled.

Police guards hosting the event quoted a case at the National War Memorial on Thursday night when police officers were suffocated and four were reportedly arrested on Twitter.

"Unfortunately, there was a violent incident at the War Memorial tonight after James Top and his crew left." Did. "We cannot put our children at potential risk, so we are not careful."

Police on Guard, consisting of active and retired police officers. for Thee opposes many of the COVID-19 related missions.

Strathcona Park picnic canceled, but about 30 ~ by the end of Friday 40 people gathered. morning.

One of them, Karen Hirtz, said this weekend was the 23rd consecutive weekend she attended a free rally.

She was one of about 20 members of Niagara who came to Ottawa to protest Canada Day.

"We are a group of people who love freedom and have a similar view of wanting freedom in Canada," she said. vaccination.

"We are not an anti-vaccine. By no means an anti-THIS vaccine, which is an mRNA vaccine."

She is vaccinated or worked by Canadians. He added that he felt that he should not be in a situation where he had to choose between them.

"Many people have lost their jobs because they had to make a choice. We don't feel people should be forced into it."

Another Strathcona attendee, who only claimed to be Stephanie in Ottawa, said he had negotiated with the city to use the park on behalf of the guards. She said she added a time constraint on Wednesday that would make it impossible for the city to get a permit.

"They made it unreasonable and unattainable to get a permit," she said, "as you have to show your insurance proof 10 days before the event. , There was another requirement that they said they had to contact them three days ago.

"Everyone knows that Ottawa is a special place. No doubt it had the opposite effect. I'm sure there was pressure at all levels of government. "

Thursday evening incident went from Vancouver to Ottawa to Ottawa. It was after arriving at the monument to the top of the marching Canadian soldiers.

Opponents of vaccination mandates and other COVID-19 measures were charged by the military in February with two actions against order and disciplinary prejudice against uniformed comments. it was done.

At the commemorative ceremony on Thursday, military reserves addressed about 1,200 people. "

" I met thousands of people on my trip from Vancouver to Ottawa, "he said. "And many of them have lost hope. They are lost. They are angry. They have lost confidence in the system. We have already started something."

"Watch out for the phone," he added. "Assemble. Organize yourself. Plan. What is the answer? Nonviolence. Peace."

Earlier in the day, expecting conservative leadership, Pierre Poirievre joined the lead on the final journey to freedom in March.

Meanwhile, Ottawa's Articles of Incorporation officials continue to target vehicles in the "exclusion zone" with 275 tickets issued in the last 24 hours and 79 vehicles towed.

Ottawa police have called for RCMP backups to avoid repeated "freedom convoys" that overtook most of downtown Ottawa last January and February. rice field. A valid "vehicle exclusion zone" around the Parliament Building. Mayor Jim Watson headed downtown to celebrate Canada Day directly and urged people not to be threatened or bullied by those trying to interfere with the party.

Most of Friday's official ceremonies take place at Lebreton Flats in front of the Canadian War Museum.

-Use Matthew Lapierre and Bruce Ditchman files

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