Two arrested, crowd of truckers dwindle, Canadian freedom convoy enters fifth day

Ottawa - Two men connected to the ongoing anti-COVID-19 restriction demonstrations were arrested said Ottawa police. The crowd of truckers and other protesters have started to dwindle since the first days of the protest.

Police said Tuesday that a 29 year old man, has been charged with mischief under $5,000 for an incident that occurred on Saturday involving “mischief to property.”

A second man, a 37-year-old connected to the protest, was charged with carrying a weapon to a public meeting on Sunday, police said.

A convoy of truckers and their supporters protesting COVID-19 restrictions, including vaccine mandates, descended on Ottawa Friday evening and have staged a multi-day protest on the streets surrounding Parliament Hill.

Some of the protesters desecrated the National War Memorial and other statues downtown, while a local shelter, the Shepherds of Good Hope, confirmed some convoy protesters harassed and pressured their workers over the weekend for food. There were also reports of Nazi and Confederate flags at the protests, among other hateful symbols.

Ottawa police said “some progression” has been made in the investigation into the War Monument’s desecration. Overall, 13 active investigations are ongoing.

Police added they have received eight complaints related to the demonstrations to its tipline, including three that are being investigated by its hate crime division.

The crowd has also reportedly continued to thin out from the thousands of protesters seen over the weekend to about 250 people, including 50 on Parliament Hill.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday he “won’t give in” to the protesters’ demands, which range from ending all COVID-19 restrictions to Trudeau’s resignation.

Politicians at all levels of government have urged protesters to leave.
-Globalnews