Ottawa declares state of emergency in response to vaccine mandate protests

Numerous trucks and vehicles with the “Freedom Convoy” are protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Ottawa, Canada.

On February 6th, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency in response to the ongoing protests.

The City of Ottawa announced, “Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government.”

The Ottawa Police Service noted that demonstrators were participating in “unlawful behaviour,” adding that they had arrested seven people and issued over 450 tickets since Saturday morning.

The police warned that authorities could arrest anyone attempting to provide “material support”, such as gas, to protestors.