Ottawa police going ‘on the offensive’ to end trucker protest

Police Chief Peter Sloly says his officers can now go "on the offensive" to put an end to the so-called "Freedom Convoy" occuping Ottawa.

Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly says his officers can now go “on the offensive” to put an end to the trucker protest, as the so-called “freedom convoy” demonstration in Ottawa enters its eleventh day.

“We needed more resources to deal with an occupation than with a demonstration. I have worked continuously, 18-hour days, to get those resources. Our partners have started to bring those resources to bear,” Sloly said.

“Now we can go on the offensive. That’s what we’ve been doing, to great effect.”

Ottawa police announced over the weekend that they would begin cracking down on numerous offences, including threatening to arrest anyone bringing “material supports” — including gasoline refills — to the trucker convoy.

Police said “multiple vehicles and fuel have been seized” on Sunday. There were also a handful of arrests made, charges laid, and more than 60 criminal investigations underway in connection with the protest, according to police.

Sloly said the biggest development was the GoFundMe’s shutdown — which he, alongside the city, took credit for bringing offline.

“We went after the funding. Our efforts, combined with the city’s efforts, eliminated the GoFundMe. $10 million (is) no longer accessible to the demonstrators,” he said.

The police will “aggressively” pursue any “other funding avenues” for the demonstration he said.