At least 70 people were arrested and 21 vehicles were removed from the center of the Canadian capital, Ottawa, this Friday (18), during a police operation aimed at dispersing a protest started three weeks ago by truck drivers and other protesters who are calling for the overthrow. of health passports related to Covid-19 implanted in the country.
According to information from the CBC, the police action is concentrated in the region where the Canadian Parliament is located. Police officers even broke the window of a truck to remove the driver and arrest him. Protesters who refuse to leave the region, including leaders of the truckers’ movement, are being detained.
The Associated Press reported that clashes broke out between police and protesters, who chanted “freedom!” and sing the Canadian anthem.
Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to give the federal government extraordinary powers and quell protests against health restrictions – the demonstrations also included roadblocks along the US border.
Also according to the CBC, the acting chief of police in Ottawa, Steve Bell, declared that the operation in the capital was based on the Emergencies Act, the state of emergency decreed by the province of Ontario and an injunction. “Without the authority given to us through these laws, we wouldn’t be able to do the work we do today,” said Bell.
However, the use of the Emergencies Act has yet to be recognized by the Canadian Parliament. This Friday, due to the police operation, discussion of the issue was suspended in the House of Commons. It should resume this Saturday (19).
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association on Thursday announced a lawsuit to challenge the invocation of the Emergencies Act.
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