The “Rolling Thunder Ottawa” event will see hundreds of cyclists and other protesters marching through the streets of the city center and organizing many rallies on Parliament Hill, starting on Friday afternoon.
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Local and federal authorities have been preparing for the arrival of the escort, closing the roads to vehicles and increasing the number of police in the area – intending to avoid another incident such as the February truckers’ protest, which officials called an “occupation”. See what we know about the “Rolling Thunder” event and how the authorities react. The story goes on under the ad
What is “Rolling Thunder Ottawa”?
Ottawa police say at least 500 motorcyclists are expected to attend the event over the weekend, although organizers say that number could exceed 1,000 cyclists. The Rolling Thunder band was not clear about the purpose for which they are gathering, other than to say that they will be in Ottawa to “celebrate our freedom peacefully.” Organizer Neil Sheard said in a YouTube video posted Sunday that the motorcade – which includes several military veterans – was focusing on the final operation of the National War Memorial, which he said was “desecrated” by police during the protests. Freedom Convoy in February. . 2:11 Ottawa Special Joint Committee Examines Ottawa Special Joint Committee Examines Ottawa’s Use of Emergency Law Police set up barricades around the monument after many incidents reported in the early days of the demonstration, including protesters who were dancing in the tomb of the unknown soldier. The protesters, many of whom appeared to be veterans, later tore down the fence. The story goes on under the ad Sheard said in a video released Wednesday that the ceremony, which is scheduled for this weekend, is intended to allow those veterans, who were later removed from the memorial when police cleared the block on February 18 and 19, to ” reciprocate the dignity “in the space and I lay a wreath. Rolling Thunder Ottawa website said it was working with Veterans for Freedom and Freedom Fighters Canada, both of which appear to have links to Freedom Convoy.
Read more: More than 800 RCMP officers approved to assist Ottawa police before escorting motorcycles
Veterans for Freedom describes itself on its website as a group of Canadian veterans working to “restore fundamental freedoms for all Canadians” and “abide by Canadian law.” The members of this group’s steering committee all have links to previous demonstrations, including one that was among the escort representatives. Others appeared on YouTube videos supporting escort protesters. The Freedom Fighters Canada website states that it is an organization that “demands the end of all government mandates” and the end of “tyrannical legislation”. Some of its organizers also attended or publicly supported previous demonstrations. Trending Stories
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Sheard said in Wednesday’s video that the Rolling Thunders are not affiliated with Freedom Fighters Canada, but added that his team supports freedom of speech and “any team that wants to fight for the freedom of all Canadians.” The story goes on under the ad 2:19 The investigation will reconsider the use of the emergency law by the federal government during escort protests According to the program published on the Rolling Thunder website, Freedom Fighters Canada members plan to march and gather at Parliament Hill on Friday night, followed by an afterparty. On Saturday morning, the Rolling Thunder team plans to ride a procession of cyclists through the streets of downtown Ottawa around Parliament Hill before operating at the National War Memorial. The story goes on under the ad Freedom Fighters Canada will then hold another rally and rally in Parliament Hill on Saturday afternoon, with Chris Sky as the “special guest”.
Read more: Ottawa police prepare for new demonstration, curfew in downtown
Sky, also known as Chris Saccoccia, has been involved in numerous anti-COVID-19 protests across the country and has been arrested in Ontario and Manitoba for violating public health orders. He has also been charged by Toronto police with death threats over the past year, revealing court documents against several politicians, including Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford and other prime ministers. Sheard said Wednesday that he and the Rolling Thunder team were not affiliated with Saccoccia or anyone else who spoke at Freedom Fighters rallies, but reiterated his support for free speech. The weekend is set to end with a church service for cyclists on Sunday morning. 0:48 Truckers protest: Police say Ottawa escort a threat to national security a week before Emergency Law Truckers protest: Ottawa escort threatens national security week ahead of emergency law needs – March 24, 2022
How the police react
Ottawa police said Monday they would not allow vehicles in the area around Parliament Hill or the National War Memorial as part of any demonstration, including the Rolling Thunder. The story goes on under the ad Sheard warned on Sunday of a “free for all” if cyclists could not access the roads around Parliament, adding that the safety of his team and Ottawa citizens was at stake. He also said he expects the protest to be peaceful and dignified. Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said the police service was “seriously concerned” that not all members of the escort would follow the organizers’ plans and that they were prepared for the protesters to try to encircle themselves for days or weeks, as they did in February. “Our response to the plan has been specifically tuned to make sure that does not happen,” Bell told reporters Monday.
Read more: Escort organizer warns of “free for all” if police ban protest from downtown Ottawa
In addition, police will be present to impose road closure and arrest protesters if needed, along with members of the RCMP, Ontario District Police and other city police services. On Wednesday, the Ottawa Police Service Council approved a request for the appointment of an additional 200 RCMP officers to support local efforts if needed, as well as for the reappointment of 631 officers who were given special constituencies during the Freedom Convoy protests. Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday, Public Security Secretary Marco Mendicino said the Rolling Thunder motorcade would not be a “repeat” of the Freedom Convoy protests in January and February. The story goes on under the ad “We will provide the tools and resources necessary for law enforcement to comply with the law,” he said. “We do not want to see anything in the form of illegal occupation again here in Ottawa.” Sheard said in a statement posted on the Rolling Thunder website on Monday that the group “does not support exclusions, obstruction of police work, property damage or hatred and vitriol aimed at Ottawa residents.” © 2022 Global News, part of Corus Entertainment Inc.
