The Protest

Just now, in Ottawa, the truckers' convoy protest looks more like a party than a serious protest. They have been partying with their thousands of supporters for 17 days now, in the heart of town, on Parliament Hill. If it weren't for the minus 25 wind chills on some of those days (current conditions minus 21, feels like minus 28) you'd think it was a premature celebration of Canada Day. And perhaps that's the point. The people in this demonstration were lonely, restless, frustrated in multiple ways, probably desperate to let off steam and experience some togetherness because "the government"--- by which I fear they mean everyone who isn't on their side --- has neglected them. But they particularly loathe Mr. Trudeau, condemning him in four-letter words or the Quebec-French equivalent (Tabarnak! Calisse!).

I have been struggling to find valid reasons for behaviour that shocks me and most of my friends. The rebels are like disruptive teenagers in a school classroom. They have brought the business district to a standstill. How is it possible to forgive these people for the fumes of their idling trucks and the noise pollution from their honking horns? One night they were particularly loud and non-stop, deliberately honking outside the Bruyère Hospital because a few health-care workers have been sacked for their refusal to be vaccinated against Covid before coming to work. That night an old lady died at this hospital with her daughter alongside her, who said that noise was "brutal." Did anyone apologise? I don't think so. I also know an Afghan woman traumatised by the violence in her country who has recently moved to Ottawa and given birth to a little girl. The noise keeping her baby awake caused her great distress. I heard of another downtown resident who has moved out of town for the duration. 

As my brother-in-law often says, the veneer of civilisation is very thin. The gentleman at the fruit and vegetable shop I frequent at the market has locked the door. He calls the intruders "barbarians" and only lets me in to shop there because he recognises me and knows I'll wear a mask.

A hot tub is being used by the more flamboyant members of the demo. They have also brought in whole drum sets and a stage for impromptu concerts. Barbecues on Wellington Street. Some demonstrators are spending the night in their trucks; others can afford to sleep at the Chateau Laurier, it seems. Numerous children and flags everywhere (Canadian, Quebec flags, flags from the USA). The excuse for the noisy party is that this is a "Freedom Convoy" which means that the participants cannot endure mandates. Initially they disapproved of the new regulation that wouldn't let them drive across the border into the USA unless they had proof of vaccination. That has changed into a rebellion against "all mandates." 

A few in favour of the protest have been arguing with me; here are some (paraphrased) comments they made: 

• If you had come from an eastern European country and lived through the communist régime, you wouldn't approve of mandates and restrictions. Canada has turned into a "police state."
• To me personally --- "At your age your future is limited. You must understand that progress must happen and you are not part of it." (I rose to the bait and replied that I would continue to be "part of it" until I dropped dead. We disagree on what "it" is, of course.)
• The protests are not only warranted, but absolutely necessary, because all levels of government are failing to uphold people's rights.
• Having to wear a mask or queue for a vaccine brings on panic attacks in people suffering from mental disturbances such as PTSD, so they shouldn't be obliged to do this.

A kind-hearted, long-time friend of ours has been bringing the Parliament Hill demonstrators homemade muffins every day. She says: 

thousands of Canadians have been fired because they didn't want a forced medical procedure or [their] businesses had to close because of the lockdowns so they've lost their homes, can't pay the rent and worry how to feed their children [...] It is so distressing to see these decent hard-working salt-of-the-earth [vaccine refusers] be demonized and bullied by a bunch of salaried, comfortable stuffed shirts.

I asked her why anyone would refuse to be vaccinated, with that much to lose, and in reply I received lengthy descriptions, with reference links, of why Covid vaccines don't really work and how medical intervention, encouraged by Big Pharma, messes up one's immune system. One's body has the ability to recover from Covid unaided, is the implication. She adds: 

Previously highly respected and eminent doctors, scientists, epidemiologists, virologists are censured, belittled and discredited as quacks spewing misinformation when they express concern or raise questions or offer alternatives. The physicians’ governance body demands strict obedience to a new ruling where doctors can no longer use their own discretion in dealing with individual patients but must impose the arbitrary Covid protocol. They are no longer allowed to give any exemptions for philosophical, religious or medical reasons.

For the sake of our friendship, we had a civilized phone chat and then agreed to stop pointlessly arguing about it. 

The other one who disagreed with me simply said, "Get off my wall!" So I did.

A more objective comment from a friend who grew up on the Prairies was that people from out west like to make their own decisions without being told what to do, because in the past, they have had to.

Anyway, Ottawa citizens against the protest are starting to make their position clearer as well. A counter-demonstration this weekend successfully blocked a line of trucks when they stood in the road holding up placards that said, TRUCK OFF!