Author: Blazingcatfur

The sound of honking trucks echoed through the streets of downtown Toronto Saturday as a large crowd of protesters descended upon the city to demand the end of COVID-19 restrictions.

The protest, organized by the “Freedom Convoy,” started at noon at Queen’s Park, with protesters carrying signs and flags and chanting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, including proof of vaccination in certain indoor settings.

These are the people that I protest against. Me, a Jewish Ukrainian woman, who had large numbers of her family exterminated in camps, only to suffer under communism for decades more. #TruckerConvoy #TorontoConvoy #FreedomConvoy https://t.co/m9Lc0UeQIA

— Ravyn Skye 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 🇪🇬 🇺🇸 (@RavynSkye2) February 5, 2022

On Yonge just spur of Bloor pic.twitter.com/0ISjy89G3L

— David Rider (@dmrider) February 5, 2022

A divorced anti-vaxxer dad from New Brunswick, Canada, has lost his right to see his three children in person after refusing to get the COVID shot.

The unidentified dad has an immunocompromised 10-year-old daughter but he and his new partner have refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine, leading Justice Nathalie Godbout of the Court of Queen’s Bench to order him to stay away from all three kids.

Ottawa protest faces rising resident anger, uncertain finances in its 2nd week

… Protesters have maintained a near-constant level of noise and disruption in the downtown core of the nation’s capital, blocking traffic, honking horns, setting off fireworks and organizing loud music.

Local officials and residents have spoken out about instances of harassment and intimidation by protesters, while some demonstrators have also displayed symbols of hate, including the Confederate flag and swastikas. Protesters have also put up a plywood building and tents in the area.

On Saturday, two protesters rode horses through the streets, one carrying a flag supporting former U.S. president Donald Trump.

The nation’s capital is facing a “real risk” of violence as the trucker convoy digs in, setting up infrastructure and heavy machinery in what Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the Ottawa police chief are both now calling an “occupation” of the city.

Tensions are only expected to rise on Saturday, with police estimates of up to 1,000 counterprotesters and thousands of additional convoy supporters making for what former Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau called a “volatile” mix

At the end of the day yesterday in Winnipeg. A provocateur deliberately ran over a protester with his suv and injured 3 others. He’s been apprehended. All Day long the crowd of protesters were peaceful, lots of smiles, hugs and laughter. Let’s pray for the injured and the driver. pic.twitter.com/KoJboNTIt5

— Tobias Tissen (@TissenTobias) February 5, 2022

Update

UPDATE: Police Give Briefing on Winnipeg Attack:

The driver hit four Freedom Convoy protesters and fought the police during his arrest. The driver faces numerous charges including Assault with a Weapon.pic.twitter.com/9nAfm0fPrl

— Election Wizard 🚛 (@ElectionWiz) February 5, 2022

As I write this article, it is the morning of Thursday, February 3rd and I am in Ottawa. I just came into the office after walking down Wellington Street, where rigs, Honda Civics, Ford F-150s, and RVs are parked, and people of all ages and all backgrounds are advocating for a return to normal life.

Canadians taking a pit stop: Lunch is served! Civic minded Canadians enjoying patriotic outdoor cuisine and smiles at this family friendly event. pic.twitter.com/Okc3OK4F9d

— Unacceptable Rowan (@canmericanized) February 5, 2022

With a robust police presence, cordoned-off streets and surveillance cameras, Toronto girded Saturday for its own version of the trucker-led protests that have roiled central Ottawa for a week.

Hulking farm tractors and smaller trucks began arriving for the demonstration at Queen’s Park on Friday afternoon. Police barricades prevented them from getting near the legislative building, leaving the activists to park alongside the Royal Ontario Museum.