Freedom 2022 Convoy Day 7 in Ottawa

Their numbers may have dwindled, but there is still a strong contingent of Big Rig trucks gridlocking downtown Ottawa streets, all part of Freedom 2022 Convoy. Ottawa citizens are fed up. 

Ottawa Police say the “Freedom 2022 Convoy” protest that has snarled traffic and filled downtown Ottawa with deafening noise is expected to grow again this weekend when more demonstrators return. 

Ottawa citizens want the trucks gone yesterday. But, the Ottawa police chief says there may not be a policing solution.

The name “Freedom” in the convoy title seems an oxymoron for inhabitants and workers in downtown Ottawa. Incarcerated would be a better name. Seniors and many citizens are afraid to move about for fear of harassment or confrontation. Many offices, stores, and restaurants are closed. The Retail Council of Canada estimates the seven-day closure of the Rideau Centre, the city’s largest mall, could cost $19.7 million in lost revenue.

Negotiating seems to be at a crawl. Noise bylaws are not being enforced. Reports are that the Convoy did not have a local permit to engage in protest.

“Most demonstrators have left,” Chief Sloly said. “What remains is a highly determined and highly volatile group of unlawful individuals.”

Further reports say the Convoy GoFundMe page is receiving money from offshore sources. Earlier on Wednesday, Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly suggested that many of the donations had come from the United States. The city of Ottawa says the Convoy is costing the taxpayers of Ottawa about $1 million a day. Ottawa is researching ways of recouping this money directly from the Freedom 2022 Convoy GoFundMe money, which has reached about $10 million. It is one of the most successful GoFundMe pages of all time. 

The goal of the Convoy was to remove vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers. Organizers said they plan to remain in Ottawa until governments across Canada “end all mandates associated with COVID-19.” So far, Ottawa police have made three arrests associated with the protest. 

For Ottawa citizens, Covid burnout has taken on a new meaning. They are tired of the Freedom 2022 Convoy trucks on their streets, preventing them from carrying on day-to-day activities. Trucks that came to Ottawa in protest of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. When will this all be over, they ask? Thoughts, no doubt we all have had in our minds about COVID-19.