The Ottawa police force has announced “vehicle exclusion zones” ahead of the biker convoy descending on Canada’s capital city.
According to a news release, Ottawa police say that they can’t allow motor vehicle protests, rallies, or events within the city’s downtown core, out of fear of having a repeat Freedom Convoy event.
“As a result of the unlawful protest, the City of Ottawa’s position is that no motor vehicle protests, rallies or events will be allowed in the designated downtown core areas. The Ottawa Police is supporting and enforcing that decision. This includes areas near Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial and applies to all demonstrations, rallies and events. All motor vehicles will be prohibited from participating in any of these events in these designated areas, “writes Ottawa Police.
They further state that they will protect the right to “lawful and peaceful demonstrations” but go on to label the biker protest, Rolling Thunder, unlawful in the following sentence, even though it hasn’t arrived in the city.
“We will not allow for unsafe or unlawful conditions that could lead to another unlawful protest as seen in February,” the news release reads. “…. As a police service, we will always protect the rights of individuals to lawfully and peacefully protest in line with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Since the removal of the unlawful protest, we have worked to ensure more than 100 protests could occur lawfully and peacefully in the core.”
“As we do with all events, we have reached out to Rolling Thunder organizers to ensure we understand their plans.”
Police further state that they’re increasing the police presence in Ottawa and will hold all organizers “accountable for their actions before, during and after events,” much like what was seen following the Freedom Convoy protest.
Additionally, police added that they would monitor online activity related to the event, just days after it was revealed that police monitored Conservative media during the Freedom Convoy.
“We continue to monitor online and open-source commentary related to all events. Threatening or intimidating behaviours will be investigated and subject to charges where warranted,” police wrote.
Police say they are using extra police from outside police services to develop a traffic plan to manage traffic and the movement of pedestrians. This plan includes using controlled intersections, road closures, vehicle towing, and ticketing.
