Quebec City version of 'freedom' protest picks up speed Friday afternoon
CTV
Protesters opposed to COVID-19 rules and mandates have started to trickle into Quebec City and plan to bring their message to the Quebec legislature this weekend, under the watch of a heightened police presence.
The demonstration is a spin-off of the “Freedom Convoy” of truckers that arrived in Ottawa seven days ago, and that has since occupied the downtown core of the nation’s capital and caused havoc for local residents.
In Quebec City, Bernard “Rambo” Gauthier, a member of a heavy machinery union, and his supporters will protest in front of the National Assembly, which is being guarded by officers with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
Although the protest officially begins at 5 p.m., some demonstrators were honking their horns and waving flags by the early afternoon.
“At 5 p.m., it will begin and it won’t stop. It will be nonstop. At 5 p.m., everyone will be in front of the parliament,” said co-organizer Kevin Grenier in a Facebook Live video on Friday from the provincial capital, standing beside Gauthier.