Police break up remaining protest at Windsor's Ambassador Bridge, make 12 arrests

Twelve people were arrested when officers from multiple police forces advanced on Sunday morning to clear out the remaining protesters and break up a days-long occupation near the Ambassador Bridge border crossing in Windsor, Ont.

"Of those 12 arrests, there was no violence from the protesters and the officers did not have to use use of force," said Windsor police Sgt. Steve Betteridge.

Betteridge said about seven to 10 vehicles were towed and that police hoped to have the roads open and traffic moving later this afternoon. He did not know when the bridge would reopen.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told CBC's Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday that once police have the situation fully under control, the plan will move to figuring out how to properly reopen the roadway to the bridge.

A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said it was "working collaboratively with law enforcement partners to restore normal border operations at affected ports of entry as quickly as possible."

A group of protesters opposing COVID-19 public health measures, including vaccine mandates, has been at the bridge since Monday, blocking what is typically Canada's busiest border crossing. On Friday, the chief justice of the Ontario Superior Court granted an injunction ordering the protesters to clear the bridge by 7 p.m. that night.

Fewer than 30 protesters were there Sunday morning. Police far outnumbered the remaining protesters and most cleared the area after being warned of arrests.

"Time to leave," police said, as they formed a line and prepared to march forward along Huron Church Road, which leads to the international border crossing connecting Windsor with Detroit.

"If you don't leave, you will be arrested."

However some arrests were made, including drivers of a few pickup trucks that had remained parked up the street.

"It is what it is," one man told reporters as he was arrested. "We're here for our freedom, and this is what we get."

The man put up no resistance as he was led out of his truck and put in restraints.

"Trust me, I'm not going to fight you," he told police.

At about 7:45 a.m., dozens of officers began forming a line across Huron Church Road, and minutes later they started their slow advance, telling everyone — both protesters and the media — to move back or face arrest.