Freedom Convoy” blockades in the downtown core, hours after warning participants that their window to leave the city of their own accord was rapidly closing.Video footage recorded by Global News of the arrests appeared to show more than one individual being taken into police custody, but the identities of the individuals are not yet clear.The declaration of a state of emergency by the federal government on Monday means the area where the individuals were arrested, on Wellington Street across from Parliament Hill, is a prohibited place of assembly.
Live updates on the continued convoy blockade in Ottawa Only Ottawans with a “lawful” reason for being in the downtown core are permitted to do so, after police established a security perimeter on Day 21 of the continued blockade amid signals that they are preparing to end the demonstration that has paralyzed Ottawa.“Overnight and throughout the day, residents are seeing a major increase in the number of police officers on our streets.
We have begun to erect barriers and fencing throughout the downtown core,” said Steve Bell, interim chief of the Ottawa Police Service, in a statement. “Only those with lawful reason to enter the core, such as residents, businesses and others with lawful reasons, will be allowed in the area.
The unlawful protesters must leave the area and will not be provided access.”The statement was posted to the Ottawa Police Service Twitter account on Thursday shortly after 1 p.m.