A second convoy of truckers has assembled in support of the “Freedom Convoy” currently protesting Canada’s vaccine mandates in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada.
The blockade began Saturday, when drivers began to assemble on Highway 4 in Coutts, Alberta, on the border of Canada and the United States. The protest blocked travel completely on both sides of the Coutts border crossing, the Western Standard, an Alberta-based news site, reported Saturday. “Nothing is moving on either side of the border. They have blocked the shoulders now in both directions, too. You can’t get by at all now,” said reporter James Finkbeiner.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued a traffic advisory shortly afterward, according to Global News Canada. Coutts Mayor Jim Willett said that as of Saturday, the protest had been peaceful.
The protest seemed to escalate Sunday. Royal Canadian Mounted Police posted a statement to Facebook Sunday morning declaring the protest unlawful. “The Alberta RCMP continue to act to preserve the peace and maintain public safety at the Coutts border crossing. Extensive efforts have been taken to engage with all stakeholders in the hopes that a peaceful resolution can be reached. We are working with truck drivers who are attempting to disengage from this event so that they are able to do so; however, current conditions have traffic immobilized.”
“The Alberta RCMP will use only the level of intervention necessary to ensure the safety of all citizens and to maintain peace, order, and security,” the statement continued. “Our goal is to facilitate lawful and peaceful protest. When an event becomes unlawful we utilize a measured approach, which ultimately includes enforcement. This event is unlawful and we are asking those who are involved to clear the area.”
“The Alberta RCMP uses necessary measures to protect the fundamental freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, to promote the safety of all citizens, to enforce laws and to maintain peace and order. In turn, it must be recognized that while everyone has a right to peaceful freedom of expression; the general public, local residents and businesses also have the right to a safe environment and freedom of movement.”
Premier of Alberta Jason Kenney issued a statement also issued a statement late Sunday condemning the protest as illegal. “The blockade of the Coutts border crossing violates the Alberta Traffic Safety Act,” Kenney wrote on Twitter. “It is causing significant inconvenience for lawful motorists and could dangerously impede movement of emergency service vehicles. This blockade must end.”
The blockade of the Coutts border crossing violates the Alberta Traffic Safety Act.
It is causing significant inconvenience for lawful motorists and could dangerously impede movement of emergency service vehicles.
This blockade must end.
My full statement: ⬇ pic.twitter.com/VbXTQTVft8
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 30, 2022
The protest continued over the weekend and is ongoing as of Monday. Rebel News videographer Kian Simone posted video of the trucks assembled at the border.
A gracious trucker let us on top of his rig to get this amazing shot.
Yes you saw correctly, the horn scared the life out of me.
More coming at https://t.co/NxAr5V5Iko pic.twitter.com/gJpXdYxJlK
— K2 (@kiansimone44) January 31, 2022
Simone reported that the truckers opened up a lane of traffic for locals and disengaged truckers to move around the site of the blockade, after the declaration by police.
A lane opening up for the locals, the border will remain blocked.
Any truckers who want to leave now have a chance.
More at https://t.co/NxAr5V5Iko pic.twitter.com/6i4TCzfml0
— K2 (@kiansimone44) January 31, 2022
Simone also reported Sunday night that at least 44 RCMP vehicles, including 4 tactical units, were spotted in the nearby town of Sterling.
A trucker counted at least 44 RCMP vehicles including 4 tactical units in Sterling, Alberta
Sterling, a town near Coutts where hundreds of truckers are blocking entry to the country in support of the convoy in Ottawa to end all mandates.
Support us at https://t.co/NxAr5V5Iko pic.twitter.com/r8CwbcmCFY
— K2 (@kiansimone44) January 31, 2022
Simone reported Monday that the RCMP had been deployed and made its way to the blockade.
UPDATE: This was sent to me earlier
RCMP and tactical units headed to Coutts, Alberta.
The hundreds of truckers aren’t budging, as they demonstrate by parking at the border of Montana.
More at https://t.co/NxAr5V5Iko pic.twitter.com/Zjx5U72EwO
— K2 (@kiansimone44) January 31, 2022
BREAKING: RCMP and tow trucks have made there way to the blockage.
In response the protestors blocked the only road left with their personal vehicles.
Stay tuned for updates. https://t.co/NxAr5V5Iko pic.twitter.com/NlOXtUXlFP
— K2 (@kiansimone44) January 31, 2022
As of around 2PM Monday afternoon, the truckers, surrounded by police, have voted to remain where they are.
Surrounded and forced to make a difficult decision. Motion has passed, they are staying.
Stay tuned.
More at https://t.co/NxAr5V5Iko pic.twitter.com/kIyM8lGmTA
— K2 (@kiansimone44) January 31, 2022