Ottawa: Police resumed pushing back protesters after arresting more than 100 and towing away vehicles in Canada’s besieged capital, and scores of trucks left under the pressure, raising authorities’ hopes for an end to the three-week protest against the country’s Covid restrictions.
Police in tactical gear quickly gained ground Saturday on the second full day of one of the biggest police enforcement actions in Canada’s history, with officers drawn from around the country.
Authorities advanced to the front of the PM’s office and almost in front of Parliament Hill which has been occupied by trucks and protesters since late last month. Some used pepper spray. Ottawa police addressed the protesters in a tweet: “We told you to leave. We gave you time to leave. You were assaultive and aggressive with officers. Based on your behaviour, we are responding by including batons for our safety. ”By Friday evening, at least 100 people had been arrested, mostly on mischief charges, and nearly two dozen vehicles had been towed, including all of those blocking one of the city’s major streets, authorities said.
