Canada Trucker Protests Explained: What is 'Freedom Convoy'; Here's all you need to know

In Canada, what began as a convoy of truckers demonstrating against COVID-19 mandates developed into a blockade in Ottawa and even obstructed US-Canadian border crossing. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is in an undisclosed location since protests began in country, has averred that he is t “intimidated by those who hurl abuse at small business workers and steal food from homeless”. 

Trudeau’s remarks came after a shelter faculty said that some of protesters pressured staff at a homeless shelter to give m food. w, criminal investigations are underway after authorities alleged “desecration” of monuments during weekend protests that spread till Monday after stemming from “Freedom Convoy” of truckers.

What is 'Freedom Convoy'?

Following a drive across Canada for at least a week, convoy of huge trucks arrived in national capital to demonstrate against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and or restrictions placed by Trudeau-led government. This protest was dubbed as ‘Freedom Convoy’ and it has w brought entire world’s attention to Canada. scenes emerging from Canada have also been deemed similar to chaos that United States witnessed when pro-Donald Trump protesters blasted inside Capitol Hill building. 

protest which has w swballed into a movement was sparked by vaccine mandate for truckers crossing US-Canada border which Trudeau’s Liberal government introduced this month. measure that Canadian government introduced in wake of Omicron spread, would require unvaccinated Canadian truckers crossing US-Canada border to quarantine after returning home. 

However, upset with restriction, a loose coalition of truckers and conservative groups began to organise cross-country drive which began in western Canada in Alberta. Eventually, demonstration picked up heat and bagged support as it drove east. However, convoy which began in Alberta ended outside Parliament Hill in Ottawa over weekend. According to BBC, several supporters who already opposed Trudeau and his Liberal politics, have grown increasingly frustrated with COVID-19 pandemic measures which according to m are political overreach. 

This weekend, thousands of people gared on Parliament Hill in Canada’s capital Ottawa to protest mandates. Meanwhile, additional convoys of trucks blocked streets downtown with ors supporting demonstration blocking a border highway into United States. CNN stated that Downtown Ottawa remained jam-packed with rigs and cars on Monday morning as demonstrators rallied against COVID-19 mandates and some of Canadian lawmakers were set to return to Parliament Hill.

What has Justin Trudeau said? Where is he?

With embattle COVID-19 mandate still in place, Trudeau was t present where demonstration was taking place in Ottawa, stated media reports, On Monday, Canadian PM anunced that he and two of his three children tested positive for COVID-19. While saying that he and his family has been quarantining at an undisclosed location, Trudeau lambasted protesters using sharp words. 

"Canadians were shocked and frankly disgusted by behaviour displayed by some people protesting in our nation's capital," Trudeau said on Monday.

"I want to be very clear: We are t intimidated by those who hurl insults and abuse at small business workers and steal food from homeless," he said. "We won't give in to those who fly racist flags. We won't cave to those who eng in vandalism or dishour memory of our veterans."

Is protest peaceful?

While at start of ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest, organisers ensured that it would remain peaceful, reports have emerged about demonstrators harassing shelter facilities to get food. Earlier, law enforcement in Canada had also said that y were at heightened alert should a violent situation be recorded. Shepherds of New Hope, a homeless shelter and kitchen in Ottawa, harassed some of staff members and volunteers for meals. In a tweet on Sunday, shelter said, “While we are t certain of exact numbers, demands for meals and verbal altercations continued for several hours over dinner period”.

Among or reports of chaos in Canadian cities, CNN stated that trucks and cars have been blocking Coutts border crossing rth of Montana where Interstate 15 is a significant commercial artery for US-Canada supply chains. This critical route, barred by trucks, is called HIghway 4 on Canadian side. Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta tweeted late Sunday, “Alberta RCMP ask motorists to continue to stay away from Hwy 4 south of #Lethbridge to #Coutts border crossing”.

Additionally, Ottawa police Service tweeted on Sunday that it launched criminal investigations in relation to “desecration” of National War memorial or Terry Fox statue, threatening or intimidating behaviour towards police and city workers, damaging a city vehicle or individuals. From Canada’s chief of defence to defence minister, officials from Canadian government deunced demonstrators for ‘dancing’ on Tomb of Unkwn Soldier and desecrating National War Memorial. 

Im: AP