https://sputnikglobe.com/20220211/canadian-judge-orders-end-to-protesters-freedom-convoy-blockade-at-ambassador-bridge-1092951445.html
Canadian Judge Orders End to Protesters' 'Freedom Convoy' Blockade at Ambassador Bridge
Canadian Judge Orders End to Protesters' 'Freedom Convoy' Blockade at Ambassador Bridge
Sputnik International
Canadians decrying their country's COVID-19 vaccination requirements have assembled in protest via a truck blockade at Ambassador Bridge, the busiest... 11.02.2022, Sputnik International
2022-02-11T22:03+0000
2022-02-11T22:03+0000
2022-08-06T13:28+0000
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Following a four-and-a-half-hour virtual hearing, Ontario Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz has ordered protesters at Ambassador Bridge to cease their 5-day blockade. The order is set to go into effect at 7:00 p.m. local time on Friday.The Windsor Police Service has also warned demonstrators that those still blocking the streets after the aforementioned time may be subject to arrest, and their vehicles may be seized by authorities. Hours earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured US President Joe Biden that Ottawa intends to take "quick action" to deal with protesters blocking the key US-Canada trade corridor. According to the White House readout of the leaders' conversation, the nations agreed that individuals protesting Canada's COVID-19 vaccine mandates by blocking bridges and crossings "are having significant direct impacts on citizens’ lives and livelihoods." Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra argued that the supply chain disruptions triggered by the demonstration have amounted to an "illegal economic blockade against the people of Ontario and against all Canadians." Additionally, the Canadian province of Ontario moved to declare a state of emergency, with Premier Doug Ford arguing that it is illegal to impede the movement of people, goods, and services along critical infrastructures, such as bridges. Despite the threat of being arrested and criminally charged for their protest, many Canadian truckers have claimed that they have no intention of packing up and heading home. Protesters have demanded the Canadian government lift all mandates related to COVID-19 vaccines. US officials have warned that the sentiments of the 'Freedom Convoy' demonstration could bleed over into the states. A group is expected to assemble in California as early as mid-February, and may coincide with Super Bowl LVI, which is slated to be held at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The DHS warned that such a demonstration could severely impede transportation, federal government operations, and emergency services. Potential counter-protests could also complicate the situation.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20220211/canadas-ontario-province-declares-state-of-emergency-amid-freedom-convoy-protests-1092946326.html
https://sputnikglobe.com/20220210/canadas-freedom-convoy-threatens-to-spread-to-us-dhs-warns-1092920624.html
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Canadian Judge Orders End to Protesters' 'Freedom Convoy' Blockade at Ambassador Bridge
22:03 GMT 11.02.2022 (Updated: 13:28 GMT 06.08.2022) Canadians decrying their country's COVID-19 vaccination requirements have assembled in protest via a truck blockade at Ambassador Bridge, the busiest US-Canadian border crossing. The demonstration has severely disrupted the auto industry, prompting companies like Ford and General Motors to shut down plants and scale back production.
Following a four-and-a-half-hour virtual hearing, Ontario Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz has ordered protesters at Ambassador Bridge to cease their 5-day blockade.
The order is set to go into effect at 7:00 p.m. local time on Friday.
"This gives individuals the opportunity and the time to clear the area," Morawetz declared.
The Windsor Police Service has also warned demonstrators that those still blocking the streets after the aforementioned time may be subject to arrest, and their vehicles may be seized by authorities.
"Charges and/or convictions related to the unlawful activity associated with the demonstration may lead to denial in crossing the USA border," Windsor Police warned.
Hours earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured US President Joe Biden that Ottawa intends to take "quick action" to deal with protesters blocking the key US-Canada trade corridor.
According to the
White House readout of the leaders' conversation, the nations agreed that individuals protesting Canada's COVID-19 vaccine mandates by blocking bridges and crossings
"are having significant direct impacts on citizens’ lives and livelihoods." Canadian Transport Minister
Omar Alghabra argued that the supply chain disruptions triggered by the demonstration have amounted to an "
illegal economic blockade against the people of Ontario and against all Canadians."
Additionally, the Canadian province of Ontario moved to declare a state of emergency, with Premier Doug Ford arguing that it is illegal to impede the movement of people, goods, and services along critical infrastructures, such as bridges.
11 February 2022, 15:56 GMT
Despite the threat of being arrested and criminally charged for their protest, many Canadian truckers have claimed that they have no intention of packing up and heading home.
"We're not caving in, we're not moving, we're not backing down," Canadian trucker Joshua Singh told Fox News, prior to the court decision. "Just know that every trucker out here, we're willing to go to jail, we're willing to lose our trucks."
Protesters have demanded the Canadian government lift all mandates related to COVID-19 vaccines.
US officials have warned that the sentiments of the 'Freedom Convoy' demonstration could bleed over into the states.
In a recent memo, the US Department of Homeland Security told Biden that it "has received reports of truck drivers potentially planning to block roads in major metropolitan cities in the United States in protest of, among other things, vaccine mandates."
A group is expected to assemble in California as early as mid-February, and may coincide with Super Bowl LVI, which is slated to be held at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
10 February 2022, 19:15 GMT
The DHS warned that such a demonstration could severely impede transportation, federal government operations, and emergency services.
Potential counter-protests could also complicate the situation.
