Truckers protesting vaccine mandates in Canada remained defiant overnight Friday in the face of a court order and an emergency declaration telling them to leave the Ambassador Bride connecting Ontario to Michigan.
Around 100 protesters remained early Saturday after law enforcement failed to take action, according to CBC News.
“Do you think I care? Do you think I care about a fine?” one protester said. “I’m going to pay a fine? No. You think I care about their mandates? No. This needs to end.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Friday the government wants to see the protesters leave voluntarily but steps will be taken to have them removed if they refuse.
Video by local journalists in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning made it appear to be mostly empty of protesters, although it only showed portions of the entrance to the bridge.
Posted by Brie Stimson
Windsor, Ontario, Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement Friday he was “disappointed” an injunction had to be sought to get protesters’ “illegal occupation” of the Ambassador Bridge to move, according to FOX 2 of Detroit.
“I remain hopeful for a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the current blockade,” he said. “Local, regional and national law enforcement will collaborate and coordinate how best to respond to this legal ruling and seek to re-open the Ambassador Bridge. No operational details will be disclosed, to ensure the safety and security of all involved.”
He added, that the “ongoing occupation is endangering the economic health of our region, Province and Country.”
He said, however, he understood many of the protesters feel “left behind” and that there was a lot of “healing to do emerging from this public health nightmare. Personally, I’m hopeful that this healing can begin tonight.”
Despite the injunction and a midnight deadline set by an Ottawa state of emergency declaration, the protesters haven’t left.
Posted by Brie Stimson
Comedian Bill Maher defended the protesters on his show Friday, saying they’re not wrong to be “p—ed.”
“There is this idea, and it’s not wrong, that some people are staying home in their Lululemons and other people can afford to, like, wait out and get a free vacation and money from the government, and other people can’t. And they’re p—ed off- the people who can’t,” he said.
Posted by Brie Stimson
Canadian truckers protesting vaccine mandates remained at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windosr, Ottawa, Canada, early Saturday after both a 7 p.m. court and midnight deadline from Ottawa police where a state of emergency was declared.
The “Freedom Convoy” has remained at the bridge for five days, causing shortages of auto parts that have forced General Motors, Ford, Toyota and Honda to close plants or cancel shifts.
Posted by Brie Stimson
