Here's what you need to know about the 'Freedom Convoy' demonstration in Ottawa today
CTV
Ottawa police announced the establishment of an enhanced "Integrated Command Centre" with the OPP and RCMP to respond to the "the escalation of the current occupation."
Several roads and businesses in the downtown core remain closed on day 17 of the protests against COVID-19 public health measures, as hundreds of trucks and vehicles remain parked on Wellington Street and roads around Parliament Hill.
A concert stage with a giant TV screen is set up in front of Parliament Hill, a hot tub and a bouncy castle have been seen along Wellington Street and a DJ set up his truck at Rideau and Sussex Drive Saturday evening for a dance party. A group of demonstrators removed the security fences around the National War Memorial.
"Due to the volume of people and vehicles in the downtown core, police safely managed the movement of various convoys in and around Ottawa," Ottawa Police said about operations on Saturday. "One 300 vehicle convoy and a 20-kilometer long car convoy from Quebec were safely managed."
Police also reported the interception of a fuel transport into the downtown core.