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Police arrest protest organizers, set up perimeter around downtown Ottawa

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Police are preparing to make their move in Ottawa as they arrest two protest organizers and set up a perimeter.

Local police have now bolstered their presence with help from their provincial and national counterparts to set up a barrier around the downtown core.

Their goal is to prevent demonstrators from joining the protest against COVID-19 health measures this weekend.

Protestors were warned on Thursday if they do not clear the streets they could face arrests and charges.


Two organizers, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber have been taken into custody. They’ve both been charged with counselling to commit mischief

Meantime, Parliament is debating the use of emergency powers to push protestors out with a vote set for Monday.

It’s expected to get approved with the Liberals and NDP supporting the plan.

It’s anticipated the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois will oppose it.

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GoFundMe Fundraiser For Trucker Convoy Revoked

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A GoFundMe fundraiser set up to support a trucker convoy has been removed.

A statement released on Friday says, “GoFundMe supports peaceful protests and we believe that was the intention of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser when it was first created. We now have evidence from law enforcement that the previously peaceful demonstration has become an occupation, with police reports of violence and other unlawful activity.”

The GoFundMe account has raised over $10 million dollars.

GoFundMe now says it will automatically refund all contributions directly within seven to ten business days, without donors having to submit a request.

One million dollars was released earlier this week by GoFundMe, to organizers, but a statement from the online fundraiser says it was confirmed funds would be used only for participants who travelled to Ottawa to participate in a peaceful protest.

“Given how this situation has evolved, no further funds will be directly distributed to the Freedom Convoy organizers — we will work with organizers to send all remaining funds to credible and established charities chosen by the Freedom Convoy 2022 organizers and verified by GoFundMe.”

Thousands of truckers from across the country converged on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on January 29th, opposed to vaccine mandates. They were joined by other protesters who opposed all COVID-19 restrictions.

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Increased Numbers Expected At Parliament Hill Protest This Weekend

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Ottawa residents and businesses continue to be frustrated by protesters in the area of Parliament Hill.

Police Chief Peter Sloly says they are committed to bringing this demonstration to an end, “150 new officers, 24 hours a day over the next four days coming through this weekend. Those officers will be focused on enforcement, bringing to order and bringing to justice those who have committed disorder and unlawful acts.”

Numbers on Parliament Hill have reduced since a trucker convoy began on January 29th, but Ottawa Deputy Police Chief Steve Bell says they are preparing for those numbers to rise again this weekend.

He says they are anticipating three to four hundred more trucks attempting to enter, “We also have information that indicates that there will be between one and two thousand foot participants who will join the area of the demonstration, as well as up to a thousand counter protesters have indicated a desire to want to come down to the area.”

This is day eight of the convoy that started as a protest over vaccine mandates, and has grown to include the demand for COVID-19 restrictions to be removed.