The protesters in Ottawa are hoping to make it through the weekend until the Senate convenes. They want to make it to Monday because the Emergencies Act has to be approved by the Parliament within seven days of it being called for, which was on February 14. So it has to be approved by tomorrow. They are hoping that the legislators will not approve it, the police will back off, and the Parliament will address their concerns.
There were still hundreds of protesters out Saturday in Ottawa, more even than there were earlier when there was a lot of police action against them. And some of them may even be the people who were “arrested” earlier.
Ottawa right now: pic.twitter.com/1qNUAo9ado
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) February 19, 2022
The people protesting in Ottawa are not afraid of what the police or government have done and may do to them.
Spirits are high. pic.twitter.com/gSrrE6iOBB
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) February 20, 2022
100 people were arrested on Friday and 70 on Saturday, according to the police, so they could finally claim to officials that they were taking action. And, of course, they were very aggressive, beating up some people and reporters in the process and even running over an older woman on a disability scooter with their horses. You can see this in a closer video of one protester they were hitting with a rifle butt.
WATCH: Police officer appears to beat protester with the stock of his gun. pic.twitter.com/xnqR2JI4oI
— Candice Malcolm (@CandiceMalcolm) February 18, 2022
But there was something a little funny about those “arrests.” Many of the people arrested claimed that they were driven several blocks or a couple of miles away and then just released. They were not issued citations or formally charged with anything.
The #MSM will tell you the police βarrestedβ 70 protesters. Fact is, they were all released.
They are doing nothing illegal so itβs all bluster unless the protesters act aggressively. #OttawaOccupation #Ottawa pic.twitter.com/epRnUass6R
— Tim (@Krommsan) February 19, 2022
π¨π¦ This backs up another video when Chris sky said that all the arrests are BS. They arrest you then they drive you 20 minutes out of Ottawa and you can go back to the protest. There are no charges all fake smoke and mirrors. Listen to this guy. pic.twitter.com/E8N8rfDA9b
— Buddy Boy (@BuddyBoy3691112) February 19, 2022
Canadian beaten fake arrested and then released 1.5 hrs away https://t.co/E29eNZsdek
— Cosmic Rebil 1 (@LtdPrg) February 19, 2022
So these aren’t “arrests” where anyone is being charged — just moving people away from the area. Thus, it appears to be an effort to look like they are “doing something” or “restoring order.” Most of the people said that they were released a distance away. Some were asked to say they wouldn’t return to the protest. They didn’t comply and returned anyway. Nobody was charged with anything, there was no processing, not even a desk appearance ticket.
But as we said, not only are there more people out in Ottawa, they are growing in other cities in Canada including Quebec, Calgary, and Surrey.
We are with you, Ottawa! Surrey sends their regards π¨π¦ pic.twitter.com/vci6kNeujD
— The Vigilant Fox π¦ (@VigilantFox) February 19, 2022
HONK, HOOOOOONK π¨π¦
Quebec City stands with the people in Ottawa, who are courageously withstanding the wrath of Trudeau's police state. pic.twitter.com/dhj8IOeV4u
— The Vigilant Fox π¦ (@VigilantFox) February 20, 2022
Huge numbers out, particularly in Calgary.
In solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Ottawa, thousands of caring Canadians sing "O Canada" in support of their efforts to end the COVID regime π¨π¦ pic.twitter.com/8DDP5uJ2JP
— The Vigilant Fox π¦ (@VigilantFox) February 19, 2022
Quebec had a Freedom Convoy move into the center of the city and was having a party.
People protesting in Quebec City tonight in solidarity with Ottawa. pic.twitter.com/CRu4UZ9dqU
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) February 20, 2022
Now, some legislators have said they will not be voting for the Emergencies Act on Monday, including the Conservatives and some from Quebec.
The Prime Minister's actions are not consistent with Canadians' fundamental freedoms. Conservatives say NO to this Emergencies Act. pic.twitter.com/tTfGony06O
— Candice Bergen (@CandiceBergenMP) February 17, 2022
The question is if they have enough to shut it down. Civil liberties organizations are also encouraging the Act be voted down.
The premier from Alberta, Jason Kenney, has said that he will challenge it in court because it was unnecessary, disproportionate, violates natural justice, intrudes into provincial jurisdiction, and creates a dangerous precedent.
Alberta is filing a Court challenge to the unjustified use of the Emergencies Act.
We may also intervene in support of other Court challenges.
As Tommy Douglas said about the use of the War Measures Act in 1970, itβs like βusing a sledgehammer to crack a peanut. https://t.co/lx53TNcaJb pic.twitter.com/QD98vKgc32
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) February 19, 2022
The blockades which Trudeau claimed as an excuse, ended peacefully without the use of the Act. Meanwhile, the government has moved on to seizing all kinds of power including conscription of tow truck drivers and seizing bank accounts of people for the “crime” of political opinion. As we noted earlier, the police chief even said they would continue to hunt the protesters — and their finances- down, even after the protests. Trudeau made it clear that part of this — from the very beginning — was because they had “unacceptable views” and that he was cool with kneeling with BLM protesters — just not these guys about whom he has lied so much.
We shall have to see what the morrow may bring when it comes to the vote. It should by rights go down. But the effort to go after protesters by the government — rather than talk and listen — has sparked something not only in Canada but in the U.S. and around the world against tyranny. And that isn’t going down any time soon, no matter what happens with the vote.
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