Truck drivers and others protesting Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions have been working to stop traffic from crossing the Ambassador Bridge, one of the busiest crossings between Canada and the United States.
While the demonstrators have largely focused their energy on the Canadian capital of Ottawa, protests have begun to fan out to other parts of the country. The latest protest location is the bridge that connects Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, Michigan. Truckers and others have been blocking traffic at the border for two days now.
Slowdowns at the bridge could have significant effects on trade and supply chains. About a quarter of the trade between the two countries goes over it.
While traffic was blocked on both sides Monday, police were able to maintain some flow of traffic into the U.S. on Tuesday. In a statement, the Windsor police said that while they respect Canadians’ right to assemble peacefully, travelers also have a right to a safe environment.
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“These activities have interrupted normal vehicle traffic flow but we have been able to continue a limited amount of access to the Ambassador Bridge,” the statement read. “Officers are on scene addressing traffic points, public safety and enforcement. Commercial vehicles are being redirected to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel remains open to non-commercial vehicles.”
Truckers calling themselves the “Freedom Convoy” began demonstrating as a result of a rule that requires truckers returning from the U.S. to show proof of vaccination. The demonstrations have since morphed into more general protests against vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions and have attracted international attention and even companion demonstrations in the U.S.
The truckers and other protesters gathered at the Ambassador Bridge have their vehicles adorned with Canadian flags and posters critical of the mandates and of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has denounced the demonstrations. It is unclear how long the truckers will block traffic at the border crossing or if there are plans to congest other nearby crossings.
?? Canada, it is happening. The Windsor Detroit Ambassador Bridge is blocked. Traffic is NOT moving. pic.twitter.com/Ibn87LbXq6
— TheCrimsonWorm (@PrtyOfNone) February 7, 2022
“We’re not giving up. It’s gonna stay until they drop all mandates, as long as it takes. We have to. We get more backup coming, and we’ll just keep pressure on as long as it takes,” unvaccinated trucker Jack Dyck told CBC. “I don’t take the jab, and I’m not planning on it, and I have a family, I have a house. So I figure, I just quit for a couple of weeks. I’ve been off for just about three weeks, just doing this, trying, and hopefully, they can drop it so I can get back to work.”
Windsor police chief Pam Mizuno said her force will work to keep the situation at the border peaceful.
“We understand the concerns of our citizens and we share those concerns,” she said in a statement. “We want to reassure the public that we continue to actively engage with and monitor these demonstrations. We will maintain the peace and public/traffic safety.”
Meanwhile, police in Ottawa have issued hundreds of citations to Freedom Convoy protesters. Law enforcement warned on Monday that “anyone found bringing fuel to the demonstration trucks in the red zone could be subject to arrest and charges.”
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Additionally, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency.
“Someone is going to get killed or seriously injured because of the irresponsible behavior of some of these people,” he said of the throngs of protesters.
