Freedom Convoy protesters return to Ottawa for Canada Day

Many protesters involved in the Freedom Convoy and Rolling Thunder protests in Ottawa earlier this year are back in the city, co-ordinating events on Canada Day. 

Various events are set to take place in the downtown core today, starting at 9 a.m. with an "old-fashioned family picnic" in Strathcona Park featuring a speech from James Topp. 

Topp, a veteran marching across Canada to protest remaining COVID-19 vaccine mandates, ended his journey with his supporters Thursday at the National War Memorial. 

He was joined for a portion of his final leg by Conservative Party of Canada leadership hopeful Pierre Poilievre.

After Thursday evening's speeches at the war memorial, Ottawa police said they made four arrests, including for assaulting police officers, and are continuing to investigate.

Following Friday's picnic, organizers will hold a "freedom music concert" featuring entertainers who became popular during the Freedom Convoy for performing on a stage that was set up in front of Parliament Hill on Wellington Street. 

Protesters are also planning to march to Parliament Hill and hold a dance party there.

As was the case during the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally in April, many of the Canada Day events are being co-ordinated by Veterans 4 Freedom (V4F), a group formed by central figures involved in the Freedom Convoy's weeks-long winter protests.

Andrew MacGillvray, a veteran and member of the V4F steering committee, said while thousands of people are expected, it's tough to gauge how many will actually attend.

"We're hoping to get a lot of different groups of workers who have been affected by the mandate," he said.

"Whether it be paramedics, whether it be postal workers or carpenters or, you know, teachers and all the different professions or workers who — across the country — have had been negatively affected by the mandate."

Police say officers will allow legal protests but will shut down illegal activities, like setting up structures or speakers without a permit or making threats of an occupation.

"[We've] planned, we're prepared and we have the resources," said Steve Bell, Ottawa's interim police chief, earlier this week. 

It's not clear if protesters have applied for or received permits for their planned events. MacGillvray said his group has been in contact with police and is aware they are "under a lot of pressure."