Today, February 6, Mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency for the City of Ottawa due to the ongoing demonstrations.
— City of Ottawa (@ottawacity) February 6, 2022
For more information, visit: https://t.co/1ga2tHegDd pic.twitter.com/UO3hdSnQeq
IMPORTANT: Anyone attempting to bring material supports (gas, etc.) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest. Enforcement is underway. #ottawa #ottnews pic.twitter.com/tp4e5d2xe1
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 6, 2022
CBC: Ottawa declares state of emergency as police boost enforcement, target protest's fuel supply
Politicians have denounced the ongoing protests, but solution remains unclear
The City of Ottawa declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon in response to ongoing protests in the downtown core, soon after police announced they would boost enforcement and crack down on the demonstrators' supply of fuel.
In a statement, the city said the declaration "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."
City solicitor David White told city councillors on Saturday that the declaration of a state of emergency "does little" in terms of legal authority and does not give more power to Ottawa police.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: To say that Canada's political class is nervous is an understatement. Momentum is on the side of the protesters, not with the government, and the government knows it.
Yesterday's widespread protests were expected, but they were huge, and the only violence that occurred at these protests was against the protesters .... Horrifying moment man drives SUV through Freedom Truckers protest in Canada and injures four: GoFundMe partially backs down and will refund all $8m donations after fraud investigation threat (Daily Mail).
The media narrative that these protesters are violent/racist/uncompromising/hateful is also not working. One only has to look at the countless "on the street" reporting from citizen journalists showing everyone having a good time to know that what the main stream media is saying is not true.
What is also making many in government uncomfortable is the huge financial support coming in for the truckers, raising $3.5 million within 36 hours (link here) after their GoFundMe page was cancelled. Money talks, and if current trends continue it looks like the truckers are going to raise more money in the coming weeks than any of Canada's political parties have since last year's federal elections.
So what is next?
It looks like the authorities are going to use the police to break up the protests in the next few hours. We will see what happens tonight.
Ottawa Declares A State Of Emergency Over Trucker Protests
Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency amid 'Freedom Convoy' protest -- CTV News
Ottawa declares state of emergency amid trucker convoy protest -- Global News
Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency to deal with trucking blockade -- Reuters
Freedom Convoy: Ottawa declares emergency over trucker Covid rules protests -- BBC
Ottawa mayor: ‘Situation is completely out of control’ -- Politico