IPolice have reportedly arrested two top organizers amid weeks of protests against the Canadian government’s coronavirus policy. A man and a woman were taken by officers in the capital Ottawa on Thursday evening, Canadian media cited other protesters and video recordings.
Both are charged with abetment to damage to property, while the man has also been charged with obstruction of justice, a lawyer told Global News. Police initially did not comment.
In the afternoon, officials again asked the remaining protesters to leave the city of Ottawa as quickly as possible. “Action is imminent,” warned interim police chief Steve Bell. In the past few days, one has directly communicated with the protesters and warned them of dire consequences for not following these rules. On Thursday, the police have made a security cordon with about 100 checkpoints in the city center.
Thousands of people in Canada have been protesting against coronavirus restrictions and vaccination rules for weeks. Across the border and parts of Ottawa were blocked by trucks and other vehicles. The protest was started over vaccination requirements for truck drivers. On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a national emergency in response to the protests.
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