Ottawa Police Services Board calls special meeting as 'Freedom Convoy' protest causes gridlock downtown
CTV
Ottawa police say there will be multiple temporary road closures and closures at Highway 416 and 417 off-ramps through the day, as the Freedom Convoy demonstration continues in downtown Ottawa.
Thousands of people and vehicles filled Wellington Streets and nearby roads around Parliament Hill, forcing Ottawa police to temporarily close roads and bridges through the day to limit traffic into the area.
The constant blaring of horns filled the Parliamentary Precinct, while people carried Canadian flags and signs calling for an end to vaccine mandates and denouncing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Two people on horse back were also spotted in downtown Ottawa, including one carrying a sign reading "Trump 2024."
At Ottawa City Hall, approximately 1,000 people gathered for a counter-protest, calling for an end to the "Freedom Convoy" demonstration.
Police Services Board chair and Coun. Diane Deans called a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. to "discuss the service's ability to provide adequate and effective policing to the residents of Ottawa."
