Thousands in Ottawa protest COVID mandates

[left-of-center2012]

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) —
Thousands of protesters gathered in Canada’s capital on Saturday to protest vaccine mandates, masks and lockdowns. Some parked on the grounds of the National War Memorial and
danced on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, others carried signs and flags with swastikas.
“I am sickened to see protesters dance on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and desecrate the National War Memorial. Generations of Canadians have fought and died for our rights, including free speech, but not this. Those involved should hang their heads in shame,” tweeted Gen. Wayne Eyre, Canada’s Defense Staff chief.

Protestors compared vaccine mandates to fascism. Some are, in part, protesting a new rule that took effect Jan. 15 requiring truckers entering Canada be fully immunized against the coronavirus. The United States has imposed the same requirement on truckers entering that country. The Canadian Trucking Alliance said a great number of the protesters have no connection to the trucking industry, adding they have a separate agenda to push. The alliance notes the vast majority of drivers are vaccinated.

The organizers of the protest have called for the forceful elimination of all COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates and some called for the removal of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Parliamentary Protective Service expects as many as 10,000 protesters as part of a weekend-long rally ... attendees are likely to stay parked by Parliament until vaccine mandates are lifted.

The Shepherds of Good Hope, which has a soup kitchen for the homeless in Ottawa, reported staff and volunteers “experienced harassment from convoy protestors demanding meals from our soup kitchen. Some opposition Canadian Conservative lawmakers served coffee to the protesters. Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole met with some truckers. The protest has also attracted support from former U.S. President Donald Trump and some Fox News personalities. “We want those great Canadian truckers to know that we are with them all the way,” Trump said.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-justin-trudeau-canada-45778ef0bdca45501411fb21066c46a0

Supporters arrive at Parliament Hill for the Freedom Truck Convoy to protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in Ottawa, Canada.
Credit: AFP Photo

[madaboutharry]

1. Of course Trump had to show support to those carrying flags with swastikas.

He never met a Nazi he didn’t like.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Nothing says self-reliance like demanding free food that is meant for the homeless

when you're on a voluntary demonstration claiming you want less interference in your life. And nothing says "asshole" like harassing those trying to help the homeless, and dancing on a national monument irrelevant to your "cause".

[BlueWavePsych]

3. Uttering threats in Canada can get your two to five years in jail

Caught on video?

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-264.1.html