Protesters block street in front of B.C. legislature demanding end to COVID-19 restrictions
CTV
Anti-mandate protesters returned to the B.C. legislature in Victoria on Saturday for the fourth straight weekend, blocking traffic on Belleville Street in solidarity with the self-described "Freedom Convoy" that has occupied downtown Ottawa for weeks.
Images from the scene show hundreds of protesters in the street and on the lawn of the legislature building.
Several large trucks were also parked on Belleville Street, one of them holding a crane from which a Canadian flag was flown.
Numerous other flags could be seen among the crowd, along with signs demanding freedom and directing profanity at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
As they have for each of the last three weeks, Victoria police set up temporary surveillance cameras around the legislature ahead of Saturday's protests.
The Victoria Police Department said in a statement Friday that it sees its role during protests as ensuring public safety and protecting the right to protest peacefully and lawfully.
"Dangerous and/or unlawful acts will be met with de-escalation and enforcement," VicPD said in its statement.
"This enforcement may include the issuing of violation tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act."
The Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board, which oversees VicPD, also issued a statement on Friday. The board echoed the department's commitment to supporting people's rights to peacefully protest.
