SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 28 March 2024, Thursday |

Thousands in Ottawa protest COVID-19 mandates, many rebuked

On Saturday, thousands of protestors rallied in Canada’s capital to oppose vaccination requirements, masks, and lockdowns.

Some parked on the grounds of the National War Memorial and danced on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, while others carried posters and flags with swastikas, and still others utilized the monument of Canadian hero Terry Fox to show an anti-vaccine declaration, eliciting widespread outrage.

“It sickens me to witness demonstrators dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and desecrating the National War Memorial.” Generations of Canadians have fought and died for our rights, including the right to free expression, but not for this. “Those responsible should hang their heads in shame,” Canada’s Defense Staff chief, Gen. Wayne Eyre, tweeted.

Protesters equated vaccination requirements to Nazism, one vehicle hoisted a Confederate flag, and several held posters including expletives aimed at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The monument of Fox, a national hero who lost a limb to bone disease as a child and subsequently embarked on a fundraising journey across Canada in 1980, was wrapped with an upside-down Canadian flag with the words “mandate freedom.”

Trudeau retweeted a message from The Terry Fox Foundation in which it was said, “Terry believed in science and dedicated his life to benefit others.”

Eric Simmons of Oshawa, Ontario, believes that all vaccination requirements should be repealed.

“They’re ineffective and ineffective. It makes no difference. We can’t go on like this. People are losing their jobs because they refuse to take the vaccination,” Simmons explained.

The caravan of truckers and others urged authorities to brace for violence and advise locals to avoid downtown. Following fears that legislators’ private residences may be targeted, a top Parliament security officer instructed MPs to secure their doors.

Trudeau has stated that this “extremely worrying, tiny but very outspoken number of Canadians who are lashing out at science, government, society, missions, and public health advice” does not represent Canadians.

The prime minister’s daily schedule generally states he’s in Ottawa if he’s at home, but it stated “National Capital Region” on Saturday amid reports he’s been transported to an unidentified location. Trudeau’s son has COVID-19, and the prime leader has been isolating himself and working remotely.

Canada has one of the greatest immunization rates in the world, and Quebec’s leader, who is proposing to charge the unvaccinated, is well-liked.

Some are protesting, in part, a new law that went into effect on January 15 that requires trucks entering Canada to be completely inoculated against the coronavirus. The similar condition has been placed on trucks entering the United States.

According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, many of the demonstrators have no link to the trucking business and are pushing a different agenda. According to the alliance, the great majority of drivers are immunized.

The protest organizers have demanded for the immediate repeal of all COVID-19 limitations and vaccination requirements, and others have called for Trudeau’s resignation.

Staff and volunteers at the Shepherds of Good Hope soup kitchen in Ottawa “received intimidation by convoy demonstrators demanding meals from our soup kitchen.” Individuals were provided tools to help diffuse the situation.”

Protesters were handed coffee by opposition Canadian Conservative politicians. Erin O’Toole, the leader of the Conservative Party, spoke with several truckers. Former US President Donald Trump and certain Fox News stars have also joined the rally.

“We want those terrific Canadian truckers to know that we will be with them every step of the way,” Trump said at a rally in Conroe, Texas. “By far, they are doing more to safeguard American liberty than our politicians.”

Former US Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman stated that the threat to democracy is not limited to the United States.

“Both the swastika and the Confederate flag are hate symbols.” “It’s heartbreaking to see these emblems everywhere, especially in Canada,” said Heyman, who served as the US envoy under former President Barack Obama.

The Parliamentary Protective Service anticipates up to 10,000 demonstrators throughout the course of the weekend.

“Right now, I’m confined within my own nation,” said Tom Pappin, an unvaccinated guy from just outside Ottawa. “I can’t go on vacation.” I can’t go to a restaurant or bowling. I’m unable to attend a movie. You know, it’s just gotten out of hand with these things.”

According to the 52-year-old, guests are expected to remain parked near Parliament until vaccination restrictions are withdrawn.

    Source:
  • Associated Press