![]() Ottawa police, OPP and RCMP cruisers have also been deployed at intersections through the downtown area, while city barricades have closed various intersections across the city. Roads will only be open for residential and business traffic, pedestrians, cyclists and public transit. Police warn that motorcyclists will be ticketed and their vehicles will be towed if they park in no-stopping zones. Police have set up an exclusion zone for vehicles around Ottawa's downtown core and Byward Market, with Parliament Hill off-limits for vehicle traffic. Police are warning the public to prepare for possible traffic disruptions in Ottawa during the weekend rally.Īlong with restricting access to vehicles around Parliament Hill, interim Ottawa police chief Steve Bell issued a warning to organizers and participants, telling them: "You will be held accountable for your actions before, during, and after the events." "Lastly, as seen during the lawful protest in Ottawa, spread as much peace, love and patriotism to your fellow Canadians as possible," the statement says. The statement also encourages supporters to follow the law, and says police will be held accountable in court for their actions during the event. The weekend’s activities are expected tol wrap with a church service in Vanier on Sunday, after which the plan is to leave the city.Ī statement attributed to Sheard on the group's website says they do not support "blockades, obstruction of police performing their duties, damage to property, or hate and vitriol directed to the residents of Ottawa." Sky, also known as Chris Saccoccia, has been involved in several protests against COVID-19 mandates across Canada and was previously arrested in Ontario and Manitoba for violating public health orders. The service at the National War Memorial will be followed by a rally and march by Freedom Fighters Canada on Parliament Hill in the afternoon, featuring Chris Sky as a "special guest." The Legion is appealing to all who gather before the National War Memorial this weekend do so only with the act of remembrance in mind. This is in reference to the placing, and later the removal, of fencing around the memorial during the "Freedom Convoy" protests earlier this year.Ī spokesperson for The Royal Canadian Legion told CTV News Ottawa that war memorials and cenotaphs are important symbols of the service and sacrifice of Canada's veterans and should "never be used as a backdrop to any other agenda beyond the act of remembrance." On Saturday, Veterans for Freedom will hold a service at the National War Memorial.Īppearing on The Evan Solomon Show on Tuesday, "Rolling Thunder Ottawa" organizer and veteran Neil Sheard said, despite the event being characterized as a demonstration, protest and convoy, it is actually a rally meant to give back "dignity" to the National War Memorial that was "desecrated by the powers that be." The schedule for the "Rolling Thunder" convoy includes a rally and march on Parliament Hill on Friday, followed by an after party. On its website, Veterans for Freedom describes itself as a group of Canadian veterans working to "restore fundamental freedoms for all Canadians" and "uphold Canadian laws."įreedom Fighters Canada's website, meanwhile, says it is an organization "demanding the end of all government mandates" and the end of "tyrannical legislation." WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE RALLY? "Rolling Thunder" lists Veterans for Freedom and Freedom Fighters Canada as its partners, both of which appear to have links to the trucker convoy protests seen earlier this year. The "Rolling Thunder Ottawa" website offers limited information on the group itself, although its main Facebook page, which is a closed group, says the convoy is a biker rally to peacefully celebrate freedom.ĭespite similar names, The Rolling Barrage, which is a yearly coast-to-coast motorcycle ride across Canada to raise awareness for PTSD in military veterans and first responders, is not affiliated with "Rolling Thunder Ottawa." WHAT IS 'ROLLING THUNDER OTTAWA'?īetween 500 and 1,000 motorcycles and other vehicles are expected to take part in the event, although it's unclear exactly what their principle motivations are. Police plan to deploy officers for the weekend’s events, including pre-emptively preventing vehicles from entering the area surrounding Parliament Hill.ĬTVNews.ca has rounded up what you need to know about the planned protest. The event is bound to be a reminder of the downtown protests over COVID-19 mandates that paralyzed Ottawa for weeks and inspired similar demonstrations across Canada and around the world earlier this year. Motorcycle riders are set to arrive in Ottawa this weekend for what organizers call a ‘Rolling Thunder’ rally on Parliament Hill.ĭubbed "Rolling Thunder Ottawa," the convoy plans to loop through downtown Friday and Saturday, though their reasons for the rally are unclear.
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