Getting rid of the protest

Police are undertaking a massive clearance operation today, arresting the ringleaders of the Trucker Convoy protest and beginning to get the problem vehicles out the way. I'm following the live report from the CBC. Their photographers are having some trouble with their camera batteries because of the cold, and have to climb over mounds of snow to get their shots.

It is Day 22 of the Ottawa crisis. This morning the police calmly moved into Rideau Street and other streets near the parliament area in squadrons from various parts of the country, and then the Mounties joined in also:

The protesters are standing around just watching the police operations at the intersection of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive, identifiable by their lack of masks. Some of them are wrapped in flags which may or may not be keeping them warm. There's still a windchill in the minus-20s.

The Sûreté du Québec police have donned their gas masks, which makes one wonder what may come next. There seems to be a cautious approach because they are aware of our international audience.

The courts have to process all of the arrests today, which is going to make it a long day; so far 70 people have been arrested, says the police chief (at 3:30 p.m.). The police seem to be making serious efforts to avoid too much use of force although they are carrying guns. At one point the CBC filmed a family group among the protesters, with children (crying) gently being led out of the way. Apparently two family groups with seven children per family(!), are staying in their hotel today. There are pets down there too, although they had been warned that the pets could be confiscated.

All of the downtown core is closed down today, shops, public transport, everything.

Tow trucks are lining up on Nicholas Street, some of them disguised as police vehicles to protect the drivers from future harassment from protest supporters. Their usual logos are covered over. The stubborn truckers who have now been parked on Wellington Street for three weeks. They are building barricades out of snow after the big snowfall last night, ostensibly to keep the police out. "A bit of a symbolic barrier," says the reporter, because it obviously won't be as effective as a concrete barrier. Their slogan for the last few days is "Hold the line!" Some truckers have decided to leave voluntarily now. Others are still there, hoping the rumours that the police will come over to their side at the end, are true. I don't think that's likely.

The protesters are still using their stage for amateur concerts. According to one reporter, it's still a "festive atmosphere!" 

The carrying out of their deliberate and methodical plan will take time, says the police chief.