Heavily armed police tactical units and other officers are moving forward in a solid line and telling protesters in downtown Ottawa to get out as they continue to make arrests.
Police have started towing trucks away from an area on the eastern edge of the downtown core as they continue to arrest those involved in demonstrations in Ottawa for the third week.
Tow trucks could be seen moving the vehicles after arrests were made earlier this morning.
Police say other people who have taken part in the three-week-long protest in Ottawa have decided to leave on their own accord.Officers are checking every vehicle looking to get into the secure area that spans roughly four square kilometres.
Officers from provincial, national and other municipal forces are policing the perimeter with about 100 checkpoints to keep out anyone who plans on joining the protest.
Protester Pat King is asking drivers to jackknife their rigs in front of tow trucks that have started removing vehicles near Parliament Hill.In a Facebook live post this morning, King threatened to find out which companies tow truck drivers belong to and says any of them helping police are committing “career suicide.”
King is urging protesters to lie to police to get past checkpoints and start walking to Parliament Hill.
King livestreamed a video of himself being arrested, telling his followers that officers “cornered” him.The video showed an officer approaching King’s vehicle and informing him he’s under arrest.
King is facing charges of counselling to commit mischief, counselling to obstruct police and counselling to disobey a court order.
One trucker parked by the Rideau Centre shopping mall says he is willing to get arrested and two protesters on Kent Street, near the western edge of the core, say they don’t plan to leave either.
Police have made several arrests this morning.
Police tweeted that they have made 15 arrests and say protesters have put children between their operation and the unlawful protest site.They are tweeting that children will be brought to a place of safety.
Two of the key organizers of the protest in downtown Ottawa are due in court today as police continue to make arrests on the streets near Parliament Hill.Tamara Lich is charged with counselling to commit mischief, while Chris Barber is charged with counselling to commit mischief, counselling to disobey a court order and counselling to obstruct police.
