According to newly released documents, the police dispersal of the "Freedom Convoy" protesters in Ottawa last winter was an "opportunistic move" against politicians and government figures. It shows that federal intelligence officials have warned decision makers that it could cause an "attack."
February 24th "Threat Highlights" marked Secret/Canadian Eyes Only, relaxing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
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Ideologically motivated The militants attached are likely to use the police Enforcement will be carried out "to facilitate violent revenge or as further evidence of the government's 'tyranny'," the four-page assessment said. there is
The partially redacted memo obtained by the Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act took place before, during and after the protests that paralyzed downtown Ottawa for three weeks starting in late January. It was one of the analyzes of the Integrated Terrorism Assessment Center.
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Overseen by the Canadian Security Intelligence Agency, the center brings together security and intelligence experts from a variety of agencies. draft a terrorist threat assessment based on: Categorized open source information to share with internal and external partners.
Manufacturers with the latest and most detailed information to assess overall threat and risk levels.
Many of the protesters occupied the streets of central Ottawa in heavy trucks, opposing COVID-19 health measures and Justin Trudeau's liberal government. The influx, which included some participants with roots in the far-right movement, caused many businesses to close their doors and aggravate residents with noise, diesel fumes and harassment.
On 14 February, the government invoked the State of Emergency Act, which imposed temporary measures such as regulating and banning gatherings, designating safe places, instructing banks to freeze assets, and banning support for participants. approved measures.
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Authorities tow trucks, arresting more than 200 people and indicting hundreds more, agreeing to release Cabinet documents for legal inquiry.
Militant ideologues have compared the government's tactics to those of foreign dictatorships, portraying police responses as "brutal" and calling the use of the emergency law a federal "tyranny." Several online incitements to incite violence have surfaced, with some implying that direct action against politicians, police and even their families is the only remaining option.
"This is what usually happens in this kind of movement," said Barbara Perry, director of the Center for Hate, Bigotry and Extremism at the Ontario Institute of Technology.
"When you refute them, they say that they are under attack, that their assessment is correct, that they are silenced, that they are marginalized.
Government buildings and border crossings are ideologically motivated, according to a February 24 assessment.
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"Social The resilience of the government is fragile, or the perception that the government/police response justifies violent resistance can inspire lone actors and small people against politicians and government symbols. A group inspired by IMVE to conduct opportunistic attacks,” the analyst concluded.
"IMVE advocates use anti-government sentiment and protest movements, whether related to the pandemic or other issues, in an attempt to undermine public trust and social cohesion and attract people. individuals who are vulnerable to their ideological causes.”
In the future, if public health restrictions are eased, protests may subside. No, but those who embrace violent extremism, especially "those who want to accelerate the demise of the current social and political order," are unlikely to be appeased," the assessment said.
Read more: Toronto police spent his $7.6 million on dealing with potential local convoys. According to the numbers,
symbols of politicians and governments will persist for the foreseeable future.
The capital will see further protests, including a late June march involving many of the figures associated with the winter event. , and involved many people in a broader distrust of all these institutions: government, science, academia, the media," Perry said. I think we will continue to find ways to exploit, or at least exacerbate, the grievances we create.”
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The Center for Terrorism Assessment , began chasing convoys of trucks bound for Ottawa as early as January 26, with opportunistic violence in the margins of the protest.
A coordinated terrorist attack or planned raid on Parliament Hill or other federal facilities is unlikely, according to the February 3 analysis.
"The most likely IMVE-related scenario is the use of available weapons such as knives, firearms, homemade explosives, and vehicles in public areas against soft targets, including opposition groups and civilians. Including inspired lone actors using resources and resources.”
© 2022 The Canadian Press
