Soldiers accused of criticizing vaccine obligations arrive in Ottawa in fear of protest

Ottawa — Canada charged with speaking against COVID-19 vaccine requirements Soldiers will march Ottawa on Thursday and begin what the organizers have promised — and the inhabitants will be afraid — a new wave of prosecution throughout the summer.

Army Reserve James Top was charged in February with two acts of order and discipline prejudice against uniformed comments, and has since been four from Vancouver to the capital. I have led the march of the moon. ..

His march involved a "free convoy" that roared downtown Ottawa for weeks until police used force to end what they and the government described as illegal occupation. Has been supported by many of the same people who did.

Residents are at stake due to his arrival in the capital and promises of new protests beginning on Canada Day. Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson and Mayor of Ottawa Steve Bell have promised to crack down on illegal activity.

Last week at Congressman Hill's Freedom Convoy, more than 20 Conservatives hosted Topp and other key figures, posed photos, promised support, and of the COVID-19 vaccine. I heard a lecture about danger.

Health Canada only approves domestic use of vaccines that meet strict safety, efficacy and quality standards, and the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine continue to outweigh the risk of this disease. It states that it is. About 85% of Canadians take at least one dose.

Topp is partly to abolish all vaccine obligations and to demand the reinstatement of those who have lost their jobs due to such requirements and indemnity. I told the MP that I was marching to. Lost wages.

At the same time, he and others raised the ghost of the civil war in explaining the state of the country. The accusations against

Topp are related to two videos posted online in the winter, and it seems that military reserves have uniformly criticized vaccination requirements for military personnel and other federal personnel. ..

Members of the Canadian Army are severely restricted from commenting while wearing uniforms, especially when criticizing government policy, primarily to protect the army from perceptions of politics.

His lawyer argued that such restrictions should not apply to policies that personally affect military members.

The top said there were no plans to lead the occupation of the capital and urged Ottawa police to work with him to facilitate the march through the city to the National War Memorial.

However, in a recent video posted on YouTube, the organizers of a group called Veteran 4 Freedom set up a semi-permanent camp called "Camp Eagle" east of Ottawa during the summer. The city all the time.

Since then, police have been able to prevent similar protests from hijacking the city, but stopping the planned demonstrations during Canada Day from getting out of hand is a holiday. It can be complicated by the presence of thousands of people celebrating.

Don't be threatened by groups planning to thwart the celebration

Jim Watson

" We won't be afraid of groups planning to interfere with the celebration, "Mayor Jim Watson said in a briefing earlier this week. "We are ready and will not tolerate any illegal activity by anyone."

Bell said police are preparing for a variety of scenarios, including efforts to set up structures such as stages. He said he would respond promptly to any illegal activity.

In late April, the Ottawa Police Services Commission approved Bell's request and appointed up to 831 RCMP officers to support the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Event, until July 4. You have enabled the appointment.

The city warns that vehicles will be ticketed and towed if they are found to be in violation of the exclusion zone, but the full extent of the exclusion zone has not been determined. Hmm.

Many Ottawa residents are still angry about how the city and police handled the "free convoy" protest, and several community groups gathered to see how the protest was. Started a public investigation into what was processed in.

This report by Canadian Press was first published on June 30, 2022.

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