Linking US to Canada, Ambassador Bridge Set to Re-Open, Canadian Authorities Say

© GEOFF ROBINSSupporters of the Truckers Convoy against the Covid-19 vaccine mandate block traffic in Canada bound lanes of the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ontario, on February 8, 2022.
Supporters of the Truckers Convoy against the Covid-19 vaccine mandate block traffic in Canada bound lanes of the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ontario, on February 8, 2022. - Sputnik International, 1920, 14.02.2022
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A key surface route between the United States and Canada, the Ambassador Bridge, is set to re-open after a ‘Freedom Convoy’ blocked the bridge that spans the Detroit River and links Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario.
The bridge was cleared of protesters by Canadian authorities on Sunday and is expected to resume normal activities.

White House Homeland Security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall said in a statement: “Canadian authorities intend to reopen the Ambassador Bridge today after completing necessary safety checks. We stand ready to support our Canadian partners wherever useful in order to ensure the restoration of the normal free flow of commerce can resume.”

A caravan had been blocking the route since Monday, reportedly costing the United States and Canada hundreds of millions of dollars in lost commerce. The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest international border crossing in North America, and facilitates roughly a quarter of all merchandise trade between the two countries.
On Friday, a Canadian judge issued an order to break up the blockage but protesters refused to depart. By Saturday, the number of protesters had dwindled, and on Sunday police cleared the bridge of all remaining people.
Vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandates, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada February 8, 2022.  - Sputnik International, 1920, 11.02.2022
Canadian Judge Orders End to Protesters' 'Freedom Convoy' Blockade at Ambassador Bridge
The so-called Freedom Convoy was said to have been spurred by a mandate from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau requiring unvaccinated Canadian truckers crossing the border to quarantine upon their return.
The mandate saw a coalition that claimed to be primarily of disgruntled truckers, but included assistance from conservative groups, who helped to organize the event.
Canadians, and Canadian truckers, are statistically heavily pro-vaccine, with 80% of adult Canadians fully vaccinated. The Canadian Trucking Alliance estimates that of the estimated 120,000 truckers who work cross-border routes, 85% to 90% are vaccinated.
The high visibility of the protests has led to me-too events in France and New Zealand, as well as a proposed protest at Sunday’s Super Bowl football game in Los Angeles, California.
A demonstrator kicks in a tear gas grenade during a protest on the Champs-Elysees avenue, Saturday, Feb.12, 2022 in Paris. Paris police intercepted at least 500 vehicles attempting to enter the French capital in defiance of a police order to take part in protests against virus restrictions inspired by the Canada's horn-honking Freedom Convoy. - Sputnik International, 1920, 13.02.2022
Over 32,000 People Took Part in 'Freedom Convoy' Protests in France on Saturday - Reports
The United States and Canadian governments have had discussions over how to prevent future blockade events aimed at suffocating crucial international trade routes.
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