The latest blockade as part of protests by truck drivers blocking the border between the United States (US) and Canada will reopen on Wednesday (16/2) local time.
The blockade in Emerson, Canada, which borders the US state of North Dakota, was also cleared on Wednesday (16/2) afternoon.
“Over the past six days, our officers have continued to communicate openly and have had a limited and unemotional response,” said Sergeant Paul Manaigre, public relations officer with the Royal Canadian Mouted Police. “Continuous dialogue between our officers and demonstrators allowed us to reach a settlement yesterday.”
The trucker’s rally, which started in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, has been going on for three weeks. They are demanding an end to mandatory vaccinations and other COVID-19 containment policies.
Last week, a similar blockade on the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Ontario, Canada, with Michigan, USA, was opened, as was another blockade in Alberta, Canada, which borders Montana, USA.
The blockades have disrupted trade between the US and Canada.
However, protests in Ottawa are still ongoing and police are issuing notices threatening that drivers will be arrested if they don’t leave.
Police began issuing ticket tickets for some of the trucks, while many of the protesters persisted.
“If this means I have to go to jail, if I have to be fined to restore freedom to this country – millions of people have sacrificed so much more for their independence,” David Paisley, who traveled to Ottawa with his truck driver friend, told Associated Press.
On Monday (14/2), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enacted the Emergency Act to end the protests. [jm/rd]
Some of the information in this report comes from The Associated Press.