Ottawa police set up 100 checkpoints throughout city, say travelers ‘simply’ need to explain any movement

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(Video Credit: CTV News)

Following the Ottawa police clearing out the “Freedom Convoy” trucker protest downtown and arresting many peaceful demonstrators, they are now alerting travelers coming into the city that they’ll be stopped at one of 100 checkpoints and will have to give a reason for being there.

“There are approximately 100 police checkpoints surrounding the secured area downtown. Police will simply ask for your reason for traveling within the area,” the Ottawa Police tweeted Monday.

The 100 security checkpoints span an area from Queensway to Wellington Street and Bronson Avenue to the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. Anyone entering the area is being stopped and asked if they live, work or have a reason to enter the “secured area” not related to the protests. Many wonder if they answer incorrectly if consequences will include freezing credit and bank accounts, not to mention arrest.

Off-ramps along the Queensway through the core area are now closed to vehicle traffic. Long lines are being reported on interprovincial bridges heading into Ottawa and motorists are getting increasingly ticked off over it. Some stated that walking was faster than driving, according to CTV News.

On Monday morning, police sent out social media messages advising people that only parliamentary employees would be permitted north of Sparks Street, between Elgin and Bay Streets. Wellington Street is closed to all traffic, according to CBC News.

Canadian media seems to be ecstatic that the convoy is gone and aren’t hiding it in the least.

Ottawa police Chief Steve Bell told a news conference Sunday afternoon, that over the next several days, police will figure out how to maintain a presence in the downtown core “to make sure that nobody returns to occupy our streets again.”

There are reports that some protesters are regrouping outside Ottawa, according to CBC News. More than 50 vehicles were seen this weekend at Herb’s Truck Stop in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, about 60 miles from downtown Ottawa.

Bell refused to say when downtown roads would reopen to residents or whether vehicle traffic would be barred from Wellington Street indefinitely.

Sunday morning, officers had fenced off the area immediately surrounding the Parliamentary Precinct to keep people out. That’s where protesters had been making their stand since late January, before a series of police advancements on Friday and Saturday pushed the crowd first west, then south, away from Parliament Hill.

By Sunday afternoon, police announced that they had made 191 arrests and had filed 389 charges against 103 people. The charges include obstructing police, disobeying a court order, mischief, assault, possessing a weapon, and assaulting a police officer. It looks like they intend to throw the book at some of the protesters.

“Of those arrested, 103 were charged. The main charges are mischief and obstruct. 89 of them have been released with conditions that include a boundary they are not allowed to attend. The others have been released unconditionally,” the police tweeted.

Police reportedly towed 79 vehicles in connection to the protest. The vehicles include heavy trucks, pickup trucks, and cars. They could be sold by the government or impounded indefinitely. There is no indication they will be returned to their rightful owners.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday morning that there continue to be “real concerns” about what happens in the next few days.

“Even though things seem to be resolving very well in Ottawa, this state of emergency is not over,” Trudeau proclaimed, according to CTV News. “There continue to be real concerns about the coming days.”

Many are decrying the checkpoints as fascist:

YOU CAN SUPPORT THE TRUCKERS SAFELY HERE!

( Note: Olympic Media is helping truckers meet their financial needs)

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