LATEST UPDATE: 10:17 a.m. Eastern The police effort to clear out the so-called “Freedom Convoy” blockade in downtown Ottawa is entering its second day with what appears to be a hard, fast push amid what law enforcement is calling “assaultive” and “aggressive” behaviour by demonstrators.
In twin statements posted on Twitter on Saturday, Ottawa police said their officers on the ground will be equipped with helmets and batons for their own safety due to the conduct of demonstrators. Read more: Live: Police continue to remove Ottawa’s trucker convoy blockades “We told you to leave.
We gave you time to leave. We were slow and methodical, yet you were assaultive and aggressive with officers and the horses,” police said.
In two additional tweets, police said that a detonation of some kind of smoke device that was visible to crews on the ground was caused by demonstrators, not officers.