Horn-blaring demonstrations demanding an end to Canadian COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers have caused gridlock in the capital Ottawa since late January. The protests are now spilling to key Canada-United States border crossings and disrupting trade.
Protesters say they are peaceful but some waved Confederate flags and swastikas in the occupation's early days. Some Ottawa residents say they were harassed.
Police have generally avoided mass arrests and aggressive efforts to clear blockades, and Alberta police said they were unable to find local tow-truck operators willing to assist them.62% of Canadians surveyed oppose the "Freedom Convoy." Canadians have largely followed government’s health measures and nearly 79% of the eligible population has taken two doses of the vaccine.
But sentiment ranges widely, as it does about government response to COVID-19 itself. Some Canadians support the protests, saying they are tired of government over-reach, while others are alarmed that police have been unwilling or unable to end unlawful blockades.Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg; Editing by Lisa ShumakerSubscribe to our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox.
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