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Convoys of Canadian drivers protesting the vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers have taken to the streets in major cities in recent weeks. While, according to the BBC, these “Freedom Convoys” are gathered mostly in Ottawa and Southern Alberta, a convoy took to the streets in Vancouver for the second time in two weeks on Saturday February 5th.
The "Freedom Convoys" began as an opposition to Canada’s federal mandate on January 15th, which requires unvaccinated truck-drivers to quarantine upon crossing the Canada-US border into Canada. While truckers and supporters took to the streets in Vancouver last weekend, their presence was no more than a traffic nuisance. However, on Saturday February 5th, their presence was felt throughout the entire city. In Vancouver’s downtown core, drivers and pedestrians alike occupied the city center, creating a traffic nightmare and numerous transit-route delays. According to the Vancouver Sun, there were hundreds of participants, and five arrests made for "vandalism and mischief". Among the misdemeanors were kicking vehicles, eggs being thrown, and nails being strewn along roads. A 29-year-old man was also found to be carrying a sheathed knife.
Contrary to assumptions made by mostly pro-mandate Vancouverites, support for truckers was not strictly limited to citizens from rural corners of Canada. Pedestrian Vancouverites and protesters rallied their support for truckers from street corners and bus lanes throughout the city center. As passers-by struggled to navigate the crowded streets and sidewalks, subtle comments and light harassment - mainly regarding face masks - were common. Due to the fact protesters are anti-vaccine mandate, and more widely “anti-maskers” as well, few masks were worn throughout the rally. Those not participating in the demonstration were generally wearing masks, and kept their distances, while those who ventured through the protest were mocked for wearing them. Importantly, however, the demonstration remained mostly peaceful, contrary to many other rallies across Canada. According to the BBC, homophobia and racism have been prevalent at protests, while Nazi symbols have also been displayed. In Vancouver, the drivers and protesters slowly dispersed as the sun went down.
A strong police presence was implemented with the goal of keeping the situation calm. Unlike other demonstrations, peace was mostly maintained. In Ottawa, tensions have risen as the demonstrations are beginning to get out of hand. A fake bomb, a report of an attacked officer, and two dozen arrests have contributed to a tense situation in Ottawa, with no clear end in sight. Traffic control was maintained in downtown Vancouver by police direction, which in turn, kept protesters on foot safe and off of Vancouver’s busy streets.
The arguments on Saturday were of media censorship and general mistrust, as well as a strong discontent with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s handling of the pandemic, and the imposition of mandates and guidelines. More radical comparisons were also made between the Canadian administration and those accused in the Nuremberg trials, and that “NUREMBERG 2.0 IS COMING”.
A state of emergency has been declared in Ottawa in response to convoys in the capital. The mayor of Ottawa believes that the protests pose a threat to the safety of citizens, and there have now been reports of racially-motivated attacks.
