Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency over truckers’ ‘freedom convoy’ COVID-19 protests

Update (Feb. 7): Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency over the “freedom convoy” of truckers protesting over the weekend. The declaration came after thousands of protesters descended upon Canada’s capital city for a second straight weekend to protest COVID-19-related mandates.

“Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,” Watson’s office said in the announcement. “It also provides greater flexibility within the municipal administration to enable the City of Ottawa to manage business continuity for essential services for its residents and enables a more flexible procurement process, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.”

The declaration comes as a former U.S. Ambassador to Canada said Americans needed to stop involving themselves in the protests. The convoy has attracted support from many U.S. Republicans. This includes former President Donald Trump, who called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a “far left lunatic” who has “destroyed Canada with insane Covid mandates.”

“Canada US relations used to be mainly about solving technical issues. Today, Canada is unfortunately experiencing radical US politicians involving themselves in Canadian domestic issues,” Bruce Heyman, who served under former President Barack Obama, tweeted Sunday. “Trump and his followers are a threat not just to the US but to all democracies.”

Original Story (Feb. 3, 2022): Days into the “freedom truck convoy” COVID-19 vaccine mandate protests in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly said “there is likely no policing solution to” removing protesters. Police estimate the protest involved 8,000 to 15,000 people Saturday but has since dwindled to several hundred. Trucks are still blocking traffic.

“All options, all options are on the table. Through negotiation, through to enforcement,” Sloly said earlier this week. “All options remain on the table to safely and effectively resolve this demonstration.”

Sloly also discussed what police have learned regarding the funding of the Ottawa protests. A large chunk of the funding has come from the GoFundMe page “Freedom Convoy 2022”.

“To our Fellow Canadians, the time for political over reach is over,” organizers of the page say on the page. “Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries and livelihoods.”

According to GoFundme, the fundraiser has raised more than $10 million. However, as of Thursday it was “paused and under review to ensure it complies with our terms of service and applicable laws and regulations.” In a statement, GoFundMe wrote it didn’t receive enough information on where the money was going. As GoFundMe looks to figure that out, Ottawa Police has revealed more about where the money is coming from.

“We are now aware of a significant element from the United States that have been involved in the funding, the organizing and the demonstrating,” Sloly said. “They have converged on our city and there are plans for more to come.”

The protesting truckers have received praise from former President Donald Trump and tweets of support from Tesla billionaire Elon Musk.