Many of the people who attended this weekend’s event also attended the “Freedom Convoy,” which closed downtown Ottawa for weeks in February. Ottawa police say two people were arrested Saturday and 33 vehicles have been towed out of the blockade since Friday morning. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the National War Memorial, which was the centerpiece of the first days of February. Supporters watched retired Afghan veteran Christopher Deering lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at an almost memorial service. Some people have spoken out against Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions. Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press through APpolice arrests a person who participated in the demonstration in Ottawa. Patrick Doyle / The Canadian Press via AP Other speakers voiced opposition to vaccine orders, restrictions on COVID-19 and the government of Prime Minister Justin Trinto. Supporters were asked to remove banners pointing to the prime minister for the event. A small group of protesters gathered in front of the monument shouting “I’m going home” to the protesters. Police formed a line between the two groups to keep the peace. Police officers with motorcycles pass in front of a demonstration, part of a compressor -type demonstration call “Rolling Thunder” in Otava Otavi on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press via AP protesters gather and wave flags demonstration on April 30, 2022. Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press via AP At the end of the service, the crowd paraded to greet an escort of about 150 motorcyclists traveling on a route described by police. Police stopped motorcycle escorts two blocks from the National War Memorial and allowed motorcyclists to travel behind the core on a designated route. The protest in February lasted three weeks, as large platforms and other trucks entered in front of Parliament Hill and set up camps blocking traffic. The federal government invoked the emergency law in an effort to remove those and similar protesters who blocked the border crossings. Police said at least two people were arrested on Saturday. Protesters cheer as motorcyclists pass by during a demonstration on April 30, 2022. Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press via AP On Friday night, an escort of large platforms, campers and other trucks attempted to reach Parliament Hill. Police, wearing helmets and shields, formed a line to repel the protesters and remove large vehicles from an area just east of the MP. Seven people have been arrested on various charges, including assaulting police, the Ottawa Police Department said. At least one truck had also broken its windows.
