Core group of protesters remains in Ottawa amid growing calls to remove the convoy
CTV
Parts of Ottawa's downtown core remain inaccessible to the public as a scaled-down, core group of truck convoy protesters continue to occupy the areas surrounding Parliament Hill. A statement issued by the convoy's organizers Wednesday said they plan to remain 'for as long as it takes.'
Some members of the convoy arrived in downtown Ottawa on Friday, ahead of a big rally on the Hill Saturday, with several big rigs, personal vehicles and protesters remaining since.
Several businesses remain closed due to the protest on Wednesday, including the Rideau Centre. The Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History, which were supposed to reopen their doors Wednesday, announced they would remain closed until Feb. 9 due to ongoing disruptions.
Ottawa businessman and co-owner of Happy Goat Coffee Henry Assad said on CTV’s Your Morning Wednesday that they closed some of their locations downtown Ottawa for the safety of their employees.
“When the convoy started rolling into Ottawa and setting up shop in the city centre…groups of the demonstrators were harassing employees and telling them to take their masks off…talking to employees in an intimidating manner. The police showed up a few times, so we thought it would be a good idea to close down for now,” Assad said. “The staff have made it clear they don’t feel comfortable going to work.”