Police renew advance as 2nd day of major enforcement begins
CBC
Ottawa's main streets were noticeably emptier Saturday morning as police gathered for a continued advance to remove vehicles and dislodge protesters still occupying the downtown core.
Shortly after 9 a.m. ET, police reformed a line and, with some holding riot batons, continued the advance that cleared vehicles and protesters from a large stretch of Rideau Street throughout the day Friday.
A police column advanced rapidly away from an area near the Chateau Laurier and toward downtown, quickly gaining ground and moving protesters closer to the main protest encampment near Parliament Hill.
Several semi-truck trailers and a dwindling group of protesters remained outside Parliament Hill on Wellington Street overnight and into Saturday morning, blockaded against the police line by a mostly symbolic obstruction of metal fencing and a low wall of shovelled snow.
Ottawa police said it had arrested more than 100 people connected to the protests as of late Friday evening. And on Saturday, police announced the arrest of organizer Patrick James King, who is four criminal charges.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said Saturday morning around 20 semi-truck trailers had been confiscated by police yesterday, and others left of their own accord.
"That was a tough assignment," Watson said. "Probably the toughest assignment they'll ever have in their careers."
Watson added the city is working with federal and provincial officials to come up with a program to help support downtown business that were unable to open throughout the occupation.
Watson said he expects the financial supports will be announced by the federal government later today.
"We will continue to push both levels of government for increased support for these individuals," he said.
The city will be needing financial support from the provincial and the federal government as well, Watson said, adding the city has absorbed more than $800,000 per day for costs associated with extra policing and other city costs.
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