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Ottawa — Ottawa authorities He said on Monday that he was calling for reinforcements by closing roads to prevent rebel "freedom" protesters from confusing the Canadian Day festival, which will be held on Friday for the first time in three years.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the free concerts and other activities normally held on the holiday of July 1st, which celebrates the founding of the country, have been cancelled.
This year, several groups have held marches and dance parties protesting various things, including mandatory coronavirus vaccination, globalization, and government efforts to limit Canada's freedom. I am planning.
Some of the same organizers are behind a truck convoy that blocked downtown Ottawa around Congress for three weeks for international travel and trade. And brought the arrests of dozens of people. Ottawa officials are still facing criticism about dealing with the crisis.
Steve Bell, Ottawa's interim police chief, said he expected hundreds of thousands of people to attend the Ottawa celebration, but did not know how many would participate in the protest.
At a press conference, Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson said, "We will not be threatened by groups planning to interfere with the celebration." "We are ready and will not tolerate any illegal activity by anyone."
Friday's protests include an alternative free concert in front of the Supreme Court, a march to the city hall. There, the speakers give a speech to the general public, and finally a dance party is held in front of the parliament.
Bell told reporters that several police, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), have been brought in for assistance.
Already from Wednesday, access to the streets around the Capitol will be restricted and most of Downtown Core's streets will be closed on Friday. Vehicles are not allowed to park illegally, and structures, including tents, are not allowed, Bell said.
"We are ready to take decisive and legitimate action to deal with threats, occupation attempts, and other illegal actions we observe." Bell said.
(reported by Steve Scherer; edited by Josie Kao)
