Canadian police on Sunday cleared a key US border bridge occupied by trucker-led demonstrators angry over COVID-19 restrictions, towing vehicles and making “several” arrests in their bid to quell a movement that has also paralysed downtown Ottawa.
“Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end,” Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ontario, said in a statement. “Border crossings will re-open when it is safe to do so.”
US officials, who had pressed for a quick resolution as the blockades hit auto industries in both countries, praised what they called the “decisive” action in Windsor and said they expected the bridge to open by day’s end.
White House national security advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall said US and Canadian officials recognised “the imperative of taking swift, strong action and deterring future blockades.”
A heavy police cordon continued to protect the area on Sunday afternoon, with protesters still nearby and police indicating they would make further arrests.
The demonstrations have inspired copycat protests around the globe, including in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand, and with some US truckers discussing a protest for March.
On Sunday, with thousands of protesters still paralysing the centre of federal capital Ottawa, Canada’s public safety and emergency preparedness minister indicated that patience was running short.
Source-AFP
