Ottawa closed – all trucks rescued

Canada (TT)

The prolonged blockade of the streets of Ottawa ended after just over three weeks. To bring relief to local residents, on Sunday the last of hundreds of trucks that paralyzed central parts of the Canadian capital were removed.

“I am very happy to have my city back,” Jeff Lindley, who lives and works in central Ottawa, tells AFP.

Nearly 60 trucks were rescued and more than 190 people arrested after police on Friday attacked protesters who have blockaded parts of the Canadian capital since the end of January.

On Sunday, the last vehicles were driven out of the city, at the same time as intensive clean-up efforts began.

Many protesters left the protest area on their own initiative, but Canadian police warned protesters that everyone who participated in the protests will be wanted and brought to justice.

Police Chief Steve Bell assures that they will launch criminal investigations against as many as possible.

– If you participated in this protest, we will actively search for you, get to know you, and pursue financial penalties and criminal charges, he says. CBC.

– This investigation will continue for months. He continued, “We will hold accountable those who controlled our streets.”

The protests, which call themselves the “Freedom Caravan”, began at the end of January and are related to dissatisfaction with the restrictions imposed on the virus in the country. Hundreds of trucks closed downtown Ottawa.

Several people described as leaders of the protest movement were also arrested. Most of the detainees were investigated for sabotage.

Police also announced an exception to ban a total of 76 bank accounts, belonging to some of the protesters, with a total value of just over SEK 23 million.