The mayor of the Canadian city of Ottawa has declared a state of emergency following days of protests. Mayor Jim Watson said the protests, which have lasted more than a week, are now posing a serious threat to the safety and security of residents.
Watson said Sunday that the city would need the assistance of other jurisdictions and government agencies to deal with the issue. Truckers initially had been protesting because of the vaccine requirement for crossing the border. The demonstration then evolved into a broader public discontent on the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Canadian government.
On Jan. 29, drivers parked their trucks along major roads and city streets. They were then joined by other protesters who camped on the roads, with some putting up temporary shacks. The blockade paralyzed the Canadian capital as goods, and supply delivery came to a complete stop.
Watson said the protesters greatly outnumbered the city's police force. Police Chief Peter Sloly claimed that he lacked the resources to stop the "siege" in an emergency meeting with Ottawa officials. City Council Member Diane Deans said the protests are now a threat to the country's democracy, adding that what is happening is a "nationwide insurrection."
Following the state of emergency declaration, the city is now expecting an additional 250 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to arrive to help with the situation.
Protesters are calling on the government to immediately lift COVID-19 restrictions. Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the government would not back down and give in to the protesters' demands.
Mendicino said the vaccine mandates and other restrictions were decided by a public vote. He added that the government is simply carrying out its promise to protect the people in the country.
Ottawa police moved some protestors and erected new barricades on Sunday, adding that they are now gathering financial, digital, car registration information as evidence that will be used to file possible criminal charges.
Police also warned that anyone attempting to bring in canisters to refill the hundreds of huge trucks that are blocking major routes in the city center would be prosecuted.
Similar demonstrations have taken place in other Canadian cities such as Toronto, Quebec City, and Winnipeg. After being informed that they might face fines, a group of around 30 large trucks that had been blocking a key route in Quebec City vacated the area over the weekend. The organizers of the demonstration pledged to return in two weeks, once the Quebec Winter Carnival was finished.
