Canada police clear Parliament street in bid to end siege

[George II]

Source: Associated Press

By ROB GILLIES and ROBERT BUMSTED
7 minutes ago

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Police aggressively pushed back protesters in Canada’s besieged capital on Saturday, seizing control of trucks and clearing the streets in front of Parliament, the heart of the protests. Scores of trucks left under the increasing pressure, raising authorities’ hopes for an end to the three-week protest against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions and the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Authorities took control of the street in front of Parliament Hill which has been occupied by protesters and their trucks since late last month and had been turned into a carnival on weekends.

Ottawa police addressed the protesters in a tweet: “We told you to leave. We gave you time to leave. We were slow and methodical, yet you were assaultive and aggressive with officers and the horses. Based on your behavior, we are responding by including helmets and batons for our safety,”

Police said one protester launched a gas canister and was arrested as they advanced. Late Saturday morning, authorities were pushing crowds away from Parliament Hill.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-canada-ontario-arrests-9125c793e27a3fce81d3baaa953d6f2b

[Bev54]

1. The Police are making a big push coming up, they announced

They have locked down parliament now, with this new push coming up.

[NCjack]

2. Lock.'em.Up! Lock.'em.Up! Lock.'em.Up!

[BlueJac]

3. And heavy fines!

[dalton99a]

4. 76 bank accounts seized

Canadian authorities also announced they had used emergency powers to seize 76 bank accounts connected to protesters, totaling roughly $3.2 million ($2.5 million U.S.).

[Cha]

5. Truckers Go Home.. you've had

your Obstruction of Other People's Livelihood.

[cstanleytech]

6. The driver's involved in this should lose their licenses for life in Canada and any that are not

Canadian should be deported and barred from entry back into Canada for life.

[Bucky]

7. Punishments should fit the crime

A lifelong driving-ban sounds like overreach. But I do endorse the Alexander Hamilton quote:

Whenever the Government appears in arms it ought to appear an Hercules, and inspire respect by the display of strength.

This was not a non-violent protest; it was a display of force challenging government authority. I think Trudeau waited just about the right amount of time before flexing. Whatever crimes they committed, they should be punished according to the law.

[Bengus81]

8. Up against the bus redneck fucker.....

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