Canada trucker protest LIVE – Cops arrest 12 demonstrators and tow vehicles away at border amid warning over Super Bowl
AT least 12 protesters were arrested at the "Freedom Convoy" demonstration at the Ambassador Bridge between the US and Canada on Sunday.
Canadian police moved in and arrested protesters on charges of mischief, according to authorities.
Windsor Police, who had a large presence on Sunday with over 50 police vehicles at the scene, also seized at least five vehicles according to Constable Talya Natyshak.
Protesters were previously slow to leave the Ambassador Bridge, with the prolonged demonstration delaying international trade and halting traffic.
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Police cleared blockade
The bridge has been cleared by Canadian police and will most likely open up again soon, according to authorities.
“Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador bridge came to an end,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, said this afternoon.
“Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination.
MyPillow is sending pillows to protestors
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announced plans to send pillows to the Canadian truckers that are protesting the vaccine mandates.
Lindell, who has been vocal about his support for former President Trump as well as other right-wing causes, called the protestors “brave” and encouraged them to not give up their fight in a conversation with the .
“All of our employees are busy making pillows right now for the truckers in Canada. We’re going to try and get them through. I’m not going to say what day or you know there will be obstructionists,” Lindell said.
White House statement
White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall released a statement regarding the “Freedom Convoy” protestors.
“We are working closely with our Canadian counterparts to end the blockade of key bridges and crossings between the United States and Canada and to restore vital commerce between our two nations,” the statement said.
Vehicles towed
A tow truck was used to remove two parked pickup trucks at the foot of the bridge.
The Windsor police tweeted that vehicles are currently being towed, as well as a warning.
Protests at Ambassador Bridge
While an injunction forbade protesters from blockading the Ambassador Bridge, supporters continued to amass at the site over the weekend.
A Twitter user shared footage of protesters on foot and in personal vehicles supporting the trucker convoys.
‘See you soon’
Brian Brase, one of the leaders of the convoy protest in the United States, posted on February 7 about the upcoming protests.
“Can’t wait. See you soon California,” he wrote.
Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks GoFundMe
Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene attacked GoFundMe on February 5 over its decision to refund donations sent to Canadian truckers who claim to be protesting a COVID-19 vaccine mandate by taking part in the “Freedom Convoy,” according to .
“These corporate communists—this big tech company, basically—that acts as like a bank, and their corporate communists are stealing money,” she said.
“I mean, this is literally theft by deception. It is completely wrong and they should be arrested. They seriously should be arrested.”
Protests impact auto industry
The truck blockade by Canadian truckers protesting the country’s Covid-19 restrictions known as the “Freedom Convoy” is impacting the auto industry.
Ford, General Motors, and other car companies have had to shut down plants or scale back production on both sides of the border as a result of the demonstrations, the reported.
Due to the trucks blocking a bridge between Canada and Michigan, auto parts and other related products between the two countries are not getting through.
Canada freezes GiveSendGo funds
A court order froze all of the Freedom Convoy’s funds from GiveSendGo, according to
“This is the section of the criminal code that the Ford government is using to freeze the funds,” Lilley said in a tweet, saying the freeze was “in accordance with a ruling today by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.”
He also pointed out that, as of now, the funds have been frozen, not seized.
Homeless shelter raises money after protest conflicts
An Ottawa homeless shelter has raised $750,000 after protesters reportedly harassed staff and volunteers, demanding provisions from the shelter’s soup kitchen.
On January 29, staff and volunteers wrote on Twitter that protesters demanded meals from the soup kitchen.
The staff provided food to avoid escalating conflict until management was informed of the issue and no other protesters received meals. One client of the shelter was reportedly assaulted as well.
“What began with people wanting to make up for a few meals has now gone far beyond that,” president and CEO Deirdre Freiheit said in a video.
“Thanks to this incredible unanticipated support, we can accelerate our efforts to end homelessness in our city by building more housing.”
Teamsters Canada decries ongoing protests
François Laporte, the president of Teamsters Canada, a trade union that represents over 55,000 drivers that include 15,000 long-haul truckers, said the protests do not represent the industry, according to the .
The outlet noted that 90 percent of drivers are vaccinated.
General Motors canceled shift due to parts shortage
General Motors announced Wednesday evening that the company would cancel the second shift at its Delta plant in Lansing.
Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said that blockades can do serious damage to supply chains, a local outlet reported.
“I’ve already heard from automakers and food grocers,” Alghabra said.
“This is really a serious cause for concern.”
Regular Ambassador Bridge traffic
According to the , the Ambassador Bridge carries between 60 and 70 percent of commercial truck traffic in the Detroit/Ontario area.
On an average day, the bridge sees 10,000 trucks.
European ‘Freedom Convoy’ targets Brussels
According to an infographic circulating on Twitter, European truck drivers are planning a convoy in solidarity with Canadian drivers.
The convoy hopes to arrive in Brussels today, on February 14.
The protest’s stated goals include the “right to travel freely without interference,” the “right to choose your own health decisions” and the “right to conduct business freely.”
The infographic emphasizes that the protest is meant to be peaceful.
Three US points of entry blocked
According to , protesters blocked three entry points between the United States and Canada.
The Emerson Port of Entry connects Manitoba to North Dakota.
The Ambassador Bridge goes from Detroit, Michigan to Windsor, Canada.
And finally, Coutts Border Crossing goes from Montana to Alberta, Canada.
All three were blocked by protesters at some point.
Footage shows shutdown on Ambassador Bridge
A Twitter user shared footage from the Ambassador Bridge, which links Detroit, Michigan to Windsor, Ontario.
The video shows lines of trucks along the road before, on and after the bridge.
Twitter user shares small counter-protest
A Twitter user shared photos of their five-person counter-protest.
The user’s profile says they live in Yukon, a remote territory of Canada.
The signs included one reading “HONK IF VACCINES WORK.”
Trump’s ‘Freedom Convoy’ support, continued
“This is unacceptable and extremely dangerous in any country that values free expression,” Trump added in the statement.
“TruthSocial is announcing today that we are welcoming the Freedom Convoy with open arms to communicate freely on TruthSocial when we launch – coming very soon! TruthSocial will fight back against Big Tech so we can protect our rights to free expression.”
He ended the statement with a jab at Facebook, writing, “Also, on top of everything, it is big news that Facebook daily users went down for the first time ever, people are tired of biased social media like Twitter and Facebook, and it’s showing in their numbers!”
Trump’s ‘Freedom Convoy’ support
Former President Donald Trump on February 4.
“Facebook and Big Tech are seeking to destroy the Freedom Convoy of Truckers,” he began.
“The Freedom Convoy is peacefully protesting the harsh policies of far left lunatic Justin Trudeau who has destroyed Canada with insane Covid mandates.”
“Now, thankfully, the Freedom Convoy could be coming to DC with American Truckers who want to protest Biden’s ridiculous Covid policies.”
He also claimed that Facebook is “canceling” the Freedom Convoy USA accounts, and added in the statement that GoFundMe is “denying access to funds that belong to the Freedom Convoy.”
Ottawa Police establish Integrated Command Centre
The Ottawa Police Service announced an Integrated Command Centre (ICC) in conjunction with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to battle the ongoing Ottawa protester occupation.
“In downtown Ottawa, over 4,000 demonstrators were present throughout the day,” a statement from the Ottawa Police Service read.
“Safety concerns – arising from aggressive, illegal behaviour by many demonstrators – limited police enforcement capabilities.”
Police expect the ICC will result in “a significantly enhanced ability of our police service to respond to the current situation in our city.”
Protestors reportedly attacked, continued
Police noted that the Headingly, Manitoba, resident faces several charges including four for assault with a weapon for the alleged attack.
It’s unclear what the driver’s motive was, but Carver said “He wasn’t really for or against either of the general views.”
“Some comments he made after his arrest suggested that his motivation was not specifically about the underlying causes of the protests or the mandates,” said Carver.
Protesters were reportedly attacked in Canada
Shocking footage captured the moment a driver allegedly plowed into a crowd of Freedom Convoy protesters, injuring four before fleeing the scene.
The 42-year-old was arrested after allegedly driving at speed into demonstrators at the Manitoba Legislature grounds on Friday, February 4, according to Canadian authorities.
“A 42yr old male is facing charges after driving through a group of protesters that were part of the Freedom Convoy at the Legislative grounds,” the Winnipeg Police tweeted on Saturday. “4 adult males were struck.”
The suspect, driving a Jeep Patriot, was chased down by police and arrested after he tried to flee.
“(The vehicle) was moving at a pretty decent clip and it’s pretty miraculous that nobody sustained any serious injuries,” said police spokesperson Rob Carver on Saturday as reported by the .
Three of the injured protesters did not need medical attention, and a fourth was released after being treated at the hospital.
‘Ashamed to do my job’
One trucker expressed he is not happy that his job makes him associated with the protests.
“These protests are making me ashamed to do my job,” he tweeted.
Trudeau’s tweets, conclusion
Trudeau also set forth a bipartisan call to take parliamentary action against the blockades.
“Finally, I briefed the leaders of the opposition parties on the current situation and the latest developments.
“I stressed how important it is for all Members of Parliament, from every party, to denounce these illegal acts – and to call for an end to these blockades,” the Prime Minister concluded.
Trudeau’s tweets, part two
Trudeau also spoke to Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens about the occupation of the Ambassador Bridge.
“We’re committed to helping the Mayor and the province get the situation under control,” Trudeau said on Twitter.
“It is causing real harm to workers and economies on both sides of the border.”