Freedom advocacy groups have warned about convoys they are not affiliated with that are heading to Ontario, raising doubts about their stated intention of being peaceful in nature.
“We will always support legal, peaceful protests, which is our fundamental right provided by our Charter,” they said. “We cannot nor will we support actions that aim to undermine our democratic and judicial process.”
The statement was in response to some groups from across the country deciding to converge on Ontario, but remaining vague about what they intend to do.
In a video posted Sept. 27, Mr. Clark says they’ve arrived in Dryden, Ontario. He did not offer details about the group’s plans when they arrived in Ontario, but he indicated it was political. “We need change, and we need change quick,” he said. Mr. Clark added that his group is peaceful in nature.
He said they were not just looking for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to leave office.
RCMP Remain ‘Attentive’ to Situation
The RCMP told The Epoch Times that they were aware of the group heading across Canada.“RCMP O Division, in concert with our policing partners, is aware that a group from Alberta and Saskatchewan is travelling eastward in the direction of Ontario. Together, we remain attentive to this developing situation,” they said in an email.
“The RCMP’s top priority is the safety and security of our communities.”
“We continue to closely monitor the potential for vehicle-based protests happening in or travelling through Ottawa,” the release said.
“Should this occur, residents and businesses will see an increased police presence in the downtown core and surrounding areas.”
However, Ottawa Police said they did not have any specific information about large-scale demonstrations planned, but said the potential for “some level of protests exists.”
They said they would have resources, logistics, traffic, towing, and staffing plans in place to deal with any situation that arises.
“Illegal activity or obstructing or impeding the flow of traffic with vehicles on any roadway will not be tolerated and will be met with immediate action,” the release said.
Canadian Freedom Convey Court Case
The groups’ move east comes as two of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, which protested vaccine mandates and masking in Ottawa in early 2022, are in court facing charges for their involvement.For three weeks, hundreds of vehicles gathered in downtown Ottawa to demand an end to vaccine mandates and COVID-19 public health restrictions.
