On Sunday, hundreds of truck drivers gathered in the Canadian capital, Ottawa in protest against the mandatory vaccination rule. The protest was not just against the compulsory full vaccination rule but against other Covid-19 health restrictions too.
The protestors raised the national flag while demanding the withdrawal of mandatory vaccines, masks, and lockdown restrictions. They told the media that they don’t intend to leave until their demands are heard and some solid step is taken. Those who were protesting were so large in numbers that authorities had to resort to drawing military power. Soon after the military’s intervention, the gathered crowd weakened the next day.
Since mid-December, the Canadian legislation has been on a break. It is expected to resume sitting on 31st January of this year. That’s why truckers are seeing it as the right time for the movement. Their protests have gained the world’s attention and many have come in truckers’ support.
In support, the former US President, Donald Trump stated in a Texas rally that he is on their side. He further appreciated their efforts. He believes that truckers in Ottawa are doing and defending American freedom more than their leader by far. However, there are many doubts about the credibility of the protestors. Ever since the images of Nazi flags as well as beer-drinking protestors around national war memorials circulated on the internet, spectators have started to question them.
One of the nation’s high-ranking soldiers, General Wayne Eyre, took his discomfort on Twitter. He expresses how he’s sickened by the footage of the war memorial. The site was built for a young soldier that was killed during a terrorist attack, he said in his tweet. There are generations of Canadians and soldiers who have died for a cause that should be honored.
O’Toole who is a military veteran also took out his frustration over the war memorial incident. He wrote that he supports the right to peaceful protesting. Although he is against the display of disrespect for those men and women who have served the nation. Those behind the incident should be ashamed of their actions, he wrote.
Despite massive protests, the city has not been in a traffic situation. According to the local police in Ottawa, they have not made any arrests in the area. As of now, the estimates are yet to be revealed but meanwhile, the protestors surely have come under controversy. There are speculations that a big clash may occur. So, police are prepared for any possible violence. The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has gone to another undisclosed place with his family.