Key Takeaways:
- The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has announced that it will dispatch resources to Ottawa in advance of the trucker convoy protest this weekend.
- On Thursday, convoys rolled through the Greater Toronto Area, and supporters gathered throughout the region to show their support.
- A large police existence will begin on Friday and last through the weekend, according to the Office of Public Safety.
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has declared that it will send resources to Ottawa ahead of this weekend’s trucker convoy protest.
Connie Osborne, a TPS spokesperson, affirmed to Global News on Friday that resources have been sent to Ottawa at the request of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).
Osborne did not elaborate on what was being sent to Ottawa.
The Office of Public Safety said it brought in reinforcements to help keep the peace.
Also read: Erin O’Toole expects to meet with truckers in Ottawa who are protesting vaccine mandates
This weekend, supporters and participants of the convoy are expected to gather in the nation’s capital for a protest against COVID-19-related mandates.
Demonstrators have traveled from all over the country to attend the rally, with some arriving in Ottawa early as Friday.
Convoys rolled through the Greater Toronto Area on Thursday, and demonstrators gathered across the region to show their support.
In a series of tweets on Friday, OPS said that they are planning a “major demonstration” this weekend, with the main protests taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
OPS cited traffic congestion as a source of concern throughout the city. The organizers have advised that it “will be a peaceful protest,” according to police.
“We’ll have officers on foot, in plain clothes, and using a variety of methods to gather evidence and observe crowds,” police said.
“Demonstrators and residents can expect to see our members dressed in a variety of uniforms, carrying a variety of equipment, and driving a variety of vehicles…
According to the Office of Public Safety, a large police presence will begin on Friday and last through the weekend. Officers are on the scene to ensure that protesters can demonstrate peacefully. According to the statement, they are also “entrusted to intervene when violence and laws are broken and restore peace,” according to the statement.
Security concerns have arisen as extreme, far-right views have attempted to join the protest.
So far, the mood has been party-like, with some people setting up grills on the sidewalk and a lot of honking horns, playing instruments, and blasting music.
Nonetheless, downtown Ottawa was cordoned off as members of the convoy threatened violence, as well as the police said they were gathering intelligence on the threats.
Source: CBC News
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