Ottawa police expect 'Freedom Convoy' protest to grow this weekend
CTV
Ottawa police say they're anticipating the "Freedom Convoy" protest that has taken over downtown Ottawa to grow again this weekend as more demonstrators return, and that policing may not bring the demonstration to an end.
"The intelligence that we’re seeing currently is that we will continue to see the convoy attempt to hold what they have," said deputy chief Steve Bell at a technical briefing on Wednesday. "Expect to see increased vehicular traffic Saturday and through weekend, decreasing Monday."
Bell called the demonstration something "between a demonstration and a long-term plan to occupy our streets." Acting deputy chief Trish Ferguson said that most of the demonstrators who were in the city over the weekend have left and what remains is "a highly-determined and highly-dedicated group of unlawful individuals."
However, with more on the way, Ferguson said police have the resources to respond.
Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly suggested that a solution could lie outside the police force’s hands.