“Freedom convoy”: in Ottawa, the movement takes root in the city
Again this weekend, truckers and their supporters demonstrate against the health restrictions imposed by the Canadian government, here in front of Parliament in Ottawa, February 12, 2022. REUTERS - LARS HAGBERG
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3 mins
In Canada, the movement against sanitary measures is spreading.
Started by truckers opposed to the vaccination pass to return to Canada when they return from the United States, this movement now takes many forms.
Several demonstrations took place in Canadian cities.
And for a third Saturday in a row, Ottawa, the capital occupied by truckers for 15 days, received reinforcements opposed to health measures and the government.
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With our special correspondent in Ottawa,
Pascale Guéricolas
While
the bridge where the United States and Canada exchange 25%
of their goods remains partially blocked despite a heavy police presence and
other barricades are erected at other border crossings
, residents of downtown Ottawa begin their third week of forced cohabitation with truckers and their supporters opposed to sanitary measures.
For the past few days, a legal action brought by a 21-year-old young citizen has theoretically prevented the horns from sounding.
But some feel beleaguered in their own city.
Like this young man, until then, a happy inhabitant of the city center, he can no longer take trucks.
"
It's awful, we feel overwhelmed,
" he says.
Look, these people are blocking the streets, honking their horns, driving anywhere.
»
“
It is very difficult to come to the center
”
Further on, a valiant old lady prevents vans from parking in front of her church.
And she recounts her relationship with the demonstrators.
“
When you walk on the sidewalk with your mask on, they tell you: “take it off!”
But they don't scare me, no,
she testifies.
I have been here a long time.
»
Leaning against her counter, Julie, who runs a dry-cleaning shop, is in low spirits.
“
A lot of stores closed last week,
” she reports.
It is very difficult to come to the center.
It's a shopping street here.
Normally the bus runs every 5 minutes, but they diverted its route because they closed a traffic lane.
They tell people not to come to the neighborhood.
»
Conversely, this resident supports the truckers' movement.
“
I find the current positive climate to be unprecedented.
We see families, older people, from different social classes who are together.
It's wonderful
,” he enthuses.
“
We are doing this for our children
”
If the inhabitants of downtown Ottawa can no longer stand the crowd of anti-sanitary measures demonstrators who invade them on Saturdays and Sundays, for this mother of a family this event occupies a primordial place.
"
It's for our children that we do this, so that later they can tell their grandchildren
," she explains.
Good-natured atmosphere in Ottawa for the third weekend of trucker mobilization.
© REUTERS/Lars Hagberg
A large stage equipped with loudspeakers welcomes artists and speakers for the day in front of the Parliament, while inflatable games amuse the children.
Hands over a brazier, this Quebecer confides his emotion.
"
It's a global awakening too,
" he says.
The truckers who crossed the country to come here...
”
Discreet, the police watch people dance, cook their sausages on barbecues or sing along to the Canadian anthem.
In recent days, however, the fines have multiplied.
So far, nearly 2,600 have been distributed to protesters.
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