'Hostages in our own city': Ottawa residents say '#GoHomeTruckers' as convoy protest noise, blockades turn to 'a form of torture'
Ottawa Police Service confirmed Wednesday three individuals have been arrested related to the ongoing demonstrations in Ottawa.
One person has been charged with mischief under $5,000, another has been charged with carrying a weapon to a public meeting, and the third was charged with uttering threats and counseling to commit an indictable offence not committed.
We want to be very clear, both for the current demonstrations and any planned demonstrations--illegal activity will not be tolerated.
There will be consequences for anyone contravening City By-laws, Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code legislation. @ottawacity @OttawaBylaw— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 2, 2022
"We want to be very clear, both for the current demonstrations and any planned demonstrations—illegal activity will not be tolerated," a tweet from Ottawa police reads.
Several people who live in Ottawa continue to call for the demonstrators to leave the city they have occupied for days. Many are having trouble getting to work, and others are unable to sleep with the constant noise from the protest.
This is the audio landscape in a residential area of downtown Ottawa this morning. pic.twitter.com/Ol2Gk5XOry
— Glen McGregor (@glen_mcgregor) February 2, 2022
The honking through the night happening almost a week is a form of torture. Forced sllep deprivation is a form of torture. The city is required to issue tickets for that and they won't. This is disturbing.
— Raptor Girl SK (@raptorgirlSK) February 2, 2022
People have had it with this feral mob occupying our city.
This man stands alone with his sign tonight but he speaks for the vast majority of us.
Way to go buddy! #GoHomeTruckers #GoHome https://t.co/3NQ4tVQzZK— Lucy van Oldenbarnev (@LucyvanOlden) February 2, 2022
#GoHomeTruckers I’m an Ottawa citizen not living in the downtown core & I am full of anxiety with the fact that our police services cannot just break up this convoy & have them clear out for fear of the consequences. We are literally hostages in our own city.This is not freedom
— SherShaak (@SShaaked) February 1, 2022
This stopped being a “protest” days ago.
This is an unlawful occupation of our city.
It is time for city leaders to step up and make the #FluTrucksKlan leave our city.#GoHomeTruckers #OttawaStrong— Sarah Wright-Gilbert (she/her) (@smwgilbert) February 2, 2022
I have employees who’d been coming into the office, now working from home because they can’t leave their apartment and another who is home so he can escort his wife to and from her job as a healthcare worker because she’s been accosted for the color of her skin. #GoHomeTruckers https://t.co/6moFtlcZY8
— Skunkypants (@skunkypants) February 1, 2022
#GoHomeTruckers an Ottawa ambulance was barely able to get by as he trucks slowly got the hell out of the way. #KarenConvoy #OttawaConvoy you guys lost any sound minded CND with this sad excuse of #terrorism pic.twitter.com/PDCHXbwo61
— VBR (@lifeofvbr) February 2, 2022
It is almost 10pm and I can’t get my child to sleep because the noise won’t stop. The windows are closed and the honking is ENDLESS. All night all day for 4.5 days.
— Jennifer Flanagan (@ActuaCEO) February 2, 2022
On Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said "it’s time to let the people in Ottawa get back to their lives."
"As the capital of Canada, we're used to demonstration but it's time for this one to move on," Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said on Monday.
"Businesses and organizations have been subjected to harassment and threats, and these disruptions have been financial debilitating to owners and staff. People who disagree with provincial and federal policies and legislation have the right to demonstrate but they don't have the right to take their frustration out on people living in our community."
