Live coverage: Trucker convoy protests continue in Ottawa for 2nd week – National

A convoy of protesters, mostly truck drivers, vowed to not stop protesting against COVID-19 immunization duties and other public health measures until all their needs are met.

Protesters have been camping in Ottawa for more than a week, but the city’s police chief Peter Sloly on Friday said the force was rolling out a strategy of “intensification and restraint” to end the protests.

The police strategy will have around 150 officers patrolling Centretown, Lowertown and Byward Market with a focus on tackling “illegal, threatening behaviour” – particularly mischief, hate, harassment, threats and other similar behaviors, Sloly said.

He also said police will direct vehicles to designated parking areas outside the city center over the weekend, when another 300 to 400 trucks are expected to attempt to enter the city along. with another 1,000 to 2,000 people walking.

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Trucker protests: Bloc Québécois MP proposes forming ‘crisis team’ to deal with ‘siege’ in Ottawa

– with files from Amanda Connolly