Truckers protest in Ottawa: the situation is “out of control”

Protests began in January over the demand for mandatory vaccinations for all truck drivers crossing the U.S.-Canada border.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency in the city due to more than a week of mass protests against restrictions imposed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Watson, the situation in the city is “completely out of control”: the protesters, most of whom are truck drivers, blocked the center of the city with their trucks. In addition, they have set up a tent camp. The protesters significantly outnumber the police. The mayor claims that they are disrupting public order, although no major incidents of violence have been reported.

The protests began in January over the demand for mandatory vaccinations for all truck drivers crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Truckers staged a blockade of border crossings, as well as a protest in the capital. They were joined by other activists demanding the repeal of various coronavirus restrictions as well as the resignation of Justin Trudeau’s government.

Police forces in the city are expected to be strengthened. Authorities do not rule out the possibility that they will begin to detain those who provide assistance to protesters, in particular supplying them with fuel and food.