Canada police clear Border bridge, protestants still at Ottawa

Post created on 12:34 pm

Police in Canada cleared a key US border bridge occupied by truck led angry demonstrators over COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday, with several arrests that has paralyzed Ottawa.

US officials, who had pressed for a quick resolution as the blockades hit auto industries in both countries, praised what they called the “decisive” action in Windsor and said they expected the bridge to open by day’s end.

Liz Sherwood Randall, White House national security advisor said US and Canadian officials recognized “the imperative of taking swift, strong action and deterring future blockades.”

The demonstrations have inspired copycat protests around the globe, including in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand, and with some US truckers discussing a protest for March.

With thousands of protesters paralyzing the center of Federal Capital of Ottawa on Sunday, Canada’s public safety and emergency minister indicated that patience was running short.

He said the border closures were having “an enormous impact” on Canadian workers and companies.