Police close roads as 'Freedom Convoy' protest causes gridlock in downtown Ottawa
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 Street and nearby roads around Parliament Hill on Saturday, protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health measures for a ninth day.
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."
Several protesters told CTV News on Parliament Hill that the prime minister is hiding and they want him to come out to address the crowd.
Three councillors had originally scheduled community safety walks in Centretown, however, Coun. Catherine McKenney and Jeff Leiper cancelled the walking saying it was "not safe to go downtown."
