Demonstrators join rallies across Canada, following the second week of protests. Canadians are seen on the streets in trucks, tractors, cars and barefoot, protesting against the nation’s Covid-19 restrictions.
Chaos lead the city, moving from Alberta to Quebec and cities in between. The protestors want the government to lift strict restrictions including lockdowns, businesses and gatherings. Their consistent demands may have the government stuck in a mayhem, forced to take some decisions.
I know this pandemic is frustrating. It’s frustrating that, after two years, we’re not done fighting COVID-19. But over the past few days, Canadians have been shocked – and, frankly, disgusted – by the behaviour displayed by some people protesting in our nation’s capital.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 31, 2022
How did the trucker protests start?
The demonstrations, which started out as protests by truckers angry with vaccine requirements when crossing the US-Canadian border, have transformed into larger protests against Covid health restrictions.
Similar protests were happening in almost every major Canadian city. In Winnipeg, a driver was arrested for slamming his SUV into demonstrators. Four people were treated for minor injuries as the police described. In southern Alberta province, truckers continued to block a major border crossing to the US state of Montana.
The convoy of truckers and others prompted police to prepare for the possibility of violence and warn residents to avoid downtown. A top Parliament security official advised lawmakers to lock their doors amid reports their private homes may be targeted.
Opinions of demonstrators joining rallies
A protestor James McDonald says, “The whole event has gone beyond just vaccines and it is now about the entire ordeal.” He further adds the details of him being in Ottawa since last weekend, and has no intention of leaving the protests until the government listens to their demands.
“I’m locked into my own country right now,” said Tom Pappin, an unvaccinated man who came from outside of Ottawa. “I can’t go on a holiday. I can’t go to a restaurant; I can’t go bowling. I can’t go to a movie. You know, these are things that it’s just gotten out of control.”
Some of these are protesting a new rule that took effect January, 15 requiring truckers entering Canada be fully immunized against the coronavirus. They need to be vaccinated, undergo tests, and spend time quarantined. The United States has imposed the same requirement on truckers entering that country.
Protestors are enraged due to these as they don’t have money and are losing customers. For all and all, everyone doesn’t have the financial stability to go through while these rules are in the way. Most seemed to have mixed opinions on this.
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