Police disperse protesters in downtown Ottawa
Hundreds of special forces, tactical armored vehicles, mounted police and service dogs are involved.
One of the largest police operations in Canadian history began on the morning of February 18 with arrests of people outside the Rideau Centre mall near Parliament Hill. It was decided to start with arrests of small groups of protesters. Financial institutions have already begun to seize accounts allegedly linked to the protesters.
On Wednesday and Thursday, police handed out flyers to truckers warning of possible criminal penalties if the trucks did not leave voluntarily. Protest organizers Tamara Leach and Chris Barber were arrested Thursday night, at which time police checkpoints appeared in the city center, blocking entrances and exits to places where protesters gathered.
In Ottawa itself, everything has been peaceful so far, with only complaints of damage to cars. But among the protesters blocking the border crossing in Coutts, Alberta, there were people who tried to crush a police car with a tractor. Later in Coutts, 12 people were arrested who were in possession of weapons. Police confiscated 13 long guns, pistols, several sets of body armour, machetes and ammunition. Those arrested are charged with conspiracy to kill police officers.
A House of Commons meeting to discuss the federal government's powers over the declared state of emergency has been canceled, with senators warned of the planned operation and asked not to appear downtown. Discussion is scheduled for the weekend, voting will take place Monday.
