Police on Thursday arrested four people in the city of Ottawa after accusing them of speaking out against a Canadian soldier. COVID-19 Vaccine requirements led a procession in the city and a speech on “freedom” to an enthusiastic crowd of about 1,200 supporters.
James Top was charged in February with two counts of conduct, prejudicial to good order and discipline, for comments he made while wearing his uniform, and has since led a four-month march from Vancouver to the capital. Huh.
His march is supported by a number of similar figures involved in the “freedom convoy” that roamed downtown Ottawa for weeks until police used force to describe them and the government as an illegal occupation. did.
Poilievre leads a march of convoy protesters next to a man with right-wing extremist ties
“Freedom!” The hymns and chants exploded when he reached the National War Memorial on Thursday evening. Before speaking to the crowd, he knelt on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, weeping, thanking them for their support and urging them not to give up.
“I have met thousands of people on my trip from Vancouver to Ottawa and many of them have lost hope. They feel lost. They are angry. He has lost faith in the system. We have already started something,” he said.
“Heed the call. Gather. Organize yourself. Plan. What’s the answer? Nonviolence. Peace.”
But shortly after Topp’s remarks, police said they were responding to a “situation” in the area and arrested four people over incidents, including attacking police officers. An officer can be seen watering his eyes as a woman nearby shouted at the police about using pepper spray.
At the same time, however, members of the crowd happily roamed around and lined up for pictures with Top. Tourists and families were also wandering the scene, looking astonished as they photographed the war memorial.
As the sun began to set, some protest attendees began setting off fireworks in the eyes of the authorities.
Top’s arrival in the capital and promises of a new round of protests starting with Canada Day have left residents on edge. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and the city’s interim police chief Steve Bell have pledged to crack down on any illegal activity.
Earlier on Thursday, Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poiliver joined the final leg of TOP’s march. Poilivre walked along the top for about half an hour west of downtown Ottawa, where hundreds of people had gathered to watch the army reservoir.
Video of the meeting shows Poiliver expressing his opposition to the vaccine mandate and citing a famous quote by then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker about being “free Canadians” when he signed the Canadian Bill of Rights in 1960. quoted.
When Top said he wanted reinstatement and reparations for anyone who lost their jobs because of a vaccine mandate, Poilivar responded: “Everyone who loses their job only because of a COVID mandate should get their job.” But should be reinstated, there is no question about it.”
The two also talked about divisions within Canada, with Poilievre saying: “People are desperate for hope? I think it’s time to put this country together again, heal the wounds and reunite our country.” has come.”
He was followed by about 200 supporters, many of them carrying Canadian flags and some sporting camouflage backpacks and other gear, as they walked down the sidewalk of a major road, about half an hour before Poliver left.
Hours later, hundreds of people gathered in a park south of downtown Ottawa for the final section of the National War Memorial. A long line of marchers, including at least one wearing a black armored vest, wandered along the length of the park.
At one point the crowd was treated to a speech by a man dressed in a military beret and civilian clothing, who denounced Defense Chief General Wayne Eyre’s order that all members of the Canadian Armed Forces be fully vaccinated. Members of the crowd raised slogans.
Poilievre’s appearance with Top comes after the Conservative leadership front-runner has been accused of shamelessly cohabiting with anti-vaccine protesters and other groups affiliated with the “Freedom Convoy”.
Tamara Licht, leader of the convoy that surrounded Ottawa in February, briefly appeared in court on Thursday after allegedly breaching one of her bail conditions. Licht, who faces multiple charges including mischief and obstructing police, will remain in custody until his bail hearing on Tuesday.
Several marchers declined to be interviewed, saying they were not confident their words would be twisted.
But Ottawa resident Richard Gervais, who was among hundreds of people marching along the Rideau Canal to downtown Ottawa, called Tops “an inspiration to all of us.”
“Here’s the most peaceful, nicest, most civilized human being you’ve ever wanted to meet, and he’s walking across Canada to make a point,” he said.
Gervais said his adult son was one of hundreds of federal public servants who were forced to take leave without pay because they refused vaccinations.
While the requirement has since been suspended, “we never know when they’re going to be back,” Gervais said. “And we know it can come back in the tiniest of excuses.”
He accused the World Economic Forum of trying to take away Canada’s sovereignty by questioning the seriousness of COVID-19 and the efficacy of vaccines. All of these claims have come to prominence in the discourse surrounding the “freedom convoy”.
Top has stated that he has no plans to capture the capital, and has invited the Ottawa Police to work with him to facilitate his march through the city.
However, an organizer of a group called Veterans 4 Freedom said in a video recently posted to YouTube that he plans to set up a semi-permanent camp called “Camp Eagle” east of Ottawa and organize events in the city all summer. is planning to do.
While police have managed to prevent a similar protest from taking over the city, preventing planned demonstrations from getting out of hand during Canada Day is likely to be complicated by the holiday-celebrating attendance of thousands.
The allegations against Top are related to two videos posted online over the winter in which Army reservists appear to be making a similar critique of vaccine requirements for military personnel and other federal employees.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are severely restricted in the comments they may make in uniform, especially when it comes to criticizing government policies, in large part protecting the military from any notion of politicization. to do.
His counsel has argued that such restrictions should not apply to policies that affect members of the armed forces individually.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that police are taking their responsibility to keep people safe during Canada Day celebrations “very seriously”, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford intended to protest in Ottawa to respect the law. Invited the keepers.
More than two dozen Conservative lawmakers hosted Top and other prominent figures at the “Freedom Convoy” on Parliament Hill last week, posing for photographs, pledging their support and listening to a lecture on the perceived dangers of COVID-19 vaccines.
Health Canada says only vaccines that meet strict safety, efficacy and quality standards are approved for use in the country, and that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks of the disease. About 85 percent of Canadians have received at least one dose.
Top told lawmakers he was marching for the repeal of all vaccine mandates, as well as the reinstatement of anyone who lost their jobs because of such a requirement and compensation for lost wages.
At the same time, he and others described the situation in the country as fearing civil war.
© 2022 Canadian Press