Despite a mostly peaceful Saturday motorcade, Ottawa city councillors remain concerned following an “aggressive crowd” that gathered downtown on day one of the event.
Despite a mostly peaceful Saturday motorcade, Ottawa city councillors remain concerned following an “aggressive crowd” that gathered downtown on day one of the event.
On Friday, April 29, the night that kicked off a march down Rideau Street, seven people were arrested and charged with various charges, including assaulting police.
Crowds and police were on edge as a large group of protesters gathered on Rideau Street at Sussex Drive, where several vehicles — including an 18-wheeler — had parked.
Eventually, police were able to de-escalate the situation before Saturday’s events commenced.
“Many of us were concerned last night with the escalation of the situation downtown but we wake up relieved to see the work done by authorities to intervene effectively and protect our local residents and businesses,” Vanier councillor Mathieu Fleury tweeted Saturday afternoon.
“There is lots of anxiety surrounding today and tomorrow,” he continued. “I have been in touch with authorities and community organizations all week long to ensure the safety of our neighbourhoods.”
Many of us were concerned last night with the escalation of the situation downtown but we wake up relieved to see the work done by authorities to intervene effectively and protect our local residents and businesses.
— Mathieu Fleury (@MathieuFleury) April 30, 2022
Meanwhile, Kitchissippi councillor Jeff Leiper tweeted that all was quiet downtown in the neighbourhoods, which he and Somerset councillor explored Saturday afternoon.
Cat and I have cruised around a bit, wound up at Bank/Somerset. It is quiet downtown in the neighbourhoods – which is good, because it’s patio weather. pic.twitter.com/oga2ccnzz9
— Jeff Leiper (He/Him) (@JLeiper) April 30, 2022
Bank and Somerset. Quiet. Lots of pedestrians. pic.twitter.com/UdLK1qkGsg
— Catherine McKenney 🇺🇦 (they/them) (@cmckenney) April 30, 2022
Leiper had also walked Elgin Street during the bike rally and march on foot.
The bikes have obeyed instructions after an incident-free rally on foot. They’re doing a second lap and I hope we’ll see them guided out by police soon. So far no sign of another attempt at occupation. pic.twitter.com/SgCkUvRWy9
— Jeff Leiper (He/Him) (@JLeiper) April 30, 2022
“The bikes have obeyed instructions after an incident-free rally on foot,” he tweeted. “They’re doing a second lap and I hope we’ll see them guided out by police soon. So far no sign of another attempt at occupation.”
Here with @JLeiper keeping watch to ensure residents are kept safe. pic.twitter.com/Tv2250WY3h
— Catherine McKenney 🇺🇦 (they/them) (@cmckenney) April 30, 2022
Crowd gathering at Elgin/Albert pic.twitter.com/7KvFj607Do
— Catherine McKenney 🇺🇦 (they/them) (@cmckenney) April 30, 2022
Coming through. pic.twitter.com/QvGWZR8Eo9
— Catherine McKenney 🇺🇦 (they/them) (@cmckenney) April 30, 2022
Another loop. Maybe 100 bikes. pic.twitter.com/uGmhfFTZQA
— Catherine McKenney 🇺🇦 (they/them) (@cmckenney) April 30, 2022
While Mayor Jim Watson has retweeted messages from the Ottawa Police Service and by-law, he did not issue any comment or address the events via social media.
One, possibly two, people were arrested during Saturday’s events (Ottawa police were not clear if their reports involved one person, or two separate arrests).
Counter protesters were also set up across the street from the National War Memorial, however, there was no confrontation between them and the “Rolling Thunder” participants.
– With files from CityNews Ottawa’s Alex Goudge
