Following a hectic night that saw police arresting several demonstrators, the Rolling Thunder biker convoy has successfully laid their wreath on the National War Memorial to honour veterans and freedom in Canada.

“Fear and division equals hate. We may disagree with each other, but we don’t hate each other,” said organizer Neil Sheard while speaking to a crowd at the Memorial. “… Pink, green, gay, straight, doesn’t matter. We all love each other.”

He also honoured veterans, saying that God gives you freedom and veterans protect it, adding that part of his motivation for coming to Ottawa was to take back the “national symbol of freedom” (the War Memorial) after seeing it get fenced following the Freedom Convoy.

As previously reported by The Counter Signal, while Rolling Thunder only expected to see 500-1,000 bikers descend on Ottawa, several thousand Canadians showed up in the capital city late last night to wave flags, shout “freedom,” and honk horns.

While the demonstration appears to have been entirely peaceful, Ottawa police still moved in and arrested many people and towed several vehicles, apparently enforcing Ottawa’s new and temporary ban on “motor vehicle protests.”

While many supporting Rolling Thunder are there to have a similar demonstration to the Freedom Convoy, organizers of the biker convoy say they are unaffiliated.

Additionally, before reaching Ottawa, Rolling Thunder released an official statement on their website to say that they were working with Ottawa Police to ensure that the demonstration remained lawful and intended to abide by all of the city’s laws, including traffic laws.

As per the statement, “We do not support blockades, obstruction of police performing their duties, damage to property, or hate and vitriol directed to the residents of Ottawa. We also encourage all participants of Rolling Thunder Ottawa to follow all legislation, including the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. Lastly, as seen during the lawful protest in Ottawa, spread as much peace, love and patriotism to your fellow Canadians as possible.”