Trucks sit parked on Wellington Street near the Parliament Buildings as truckers and their supporters take part in a convoy to protest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, January 29, 2022. (Photo by Reuters)
Thousands of Canadians have staged a peaceful protest in the capital Ottawa against Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus COVID-19 vaccine mandates, with reports saying the premier and his family were moved to a secret location out of security concerns.
The protesters on Saturday showed their support to hundreds of Canadian truckers on their way to Ottawa and the parliament during a demonstration against obligatory vaccination mandates announced by Trudeau for cross-border drivers.
Braving chilling weather, the demonstrators in the ‘Freedom Convoy rally waved Canadas national flags and held placards that read "United Against Tyranny," with some trucks emblazoned with messages such as "F*** Trudeau" and "Mandate freedom."
The protest organizers said they would stay in Ottawa until the government abandons the mandates. Downtown streets could be clogged for days.
The Canadian premier announced a vaccine mandate for federal workers in October, and then last month, Canada and the United States imposed a similar one for cross-border truckers.
The new regulations require unvaccinated Canadian truck drivers to isolate for 14 days when they re-enter Canada from the US, a move drivers have been saying would have a major negative impact on their industry.
"Myself and a lot of other people are here because were just sick of the vaccine mandates and the lockdowns," said Brendon from Ottawa, who declined to give his last name. He was carrying a sign reading, "Justin Trudeau makes me ashamed to be a Canadian".
"Im not able to work no more because I cant cross the border," said Csava Vizi, a trucker from Windsor who noted he was the familys sole breadwinner.
"I refuse the vaccine," he said, calling it dangerous.
"Its not just about the vaccines. Its about stopping the public health mandates altogether," said Daniel Bazinet, owner of Valley Flatbed & Transportation in Nova Scotia on the Atlantic coast.
Canadas conservative leader Erin OToole opposed vaccine mandates and expressed support for the protest after holding talks with some of the truckers.
"I support their right to be heard, and I call on Justin Trudeau to meet with these hard-working Canadians to hear their concerns," he said.
The Saturdays protest was held amid tight security following violent rhetoric that the organizers had used on social media.
Media reports said Trudeau and his family had left their home in the countrys capital and moved to an "undisclosed location" after the large-scale protest opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Trudeau told media on Friday that he was concerned the protest would turn violent, but said the convoy represented a "small fringe minority" who "do not represent the views of Canadians."
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/26558
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