Protesters in the Canadian border town of Windsor ignore a Canadian judge’s order to end a blockade of the Ambassador Bridge, a crucial border crossing between the Canadian province of Ontario and the US state of Michigan. The bridge has been blocked for five days by truckers and other demonstrators in protest against corona restrictions.
The judge ordered demonstrators in summary proceedings on Friday afternoon to end the blockade of dozens of vehicles in Windsor, which is connected by the bridge to Detroit in the United States, at 7 p.m. local time (01 a.m. Dutch time). Participants in the blockade indicated that they did not comply with this after the expiry of that deadline.
Also read: Blockade of crucial border bridge hits US and Canada car sector
It is unclear if and when authorities will intervene to force an end to the blockade, which has seen vehicles parked in a long queue on the side of traffic heading towards Canada. They are supported by flagged demonstrators, out of dissatisfaction with corona restrictions and anger at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
Their move, part of Canada’s truckers’ protest that also controls the capital Ottawa, is hampering trade between the two neighboring countries and has led to a cut in car production in the Detroit region. Several major car manufacturers have cut production due to the blockade, which is leading to shortages of parts.
The lawsuit was filed by the City of Windsor and the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, a trade association of auto parts manufacturers. They say they lose $50 million a day because of the action.
Prompt action
Earlier in the day, Trudeau spoke with US President Joe Biden about the situation at the bridge, which handles about a quarter of all trade between the two countries — about $300 million worth of merchandise every day, mostly within the North American auto sector. According to the White House, Trudeau promised “quick action” to end the blockade.
Trudeau called on blockade participants Friday to go home – but did not specify how Canadian authorities want to end the actions. “Everything is on the table because these illegal activities have to stop and they will stop,” he told media. However, he wants to avoid the use of the army to end the blockades, he said.
Also read: Canadian trucker protest against corona rules crosses the border
Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford on Friday declared a state of emergency over the blockades in Ottawa and Windsor. Both cities are in Ontario. Ford threatened severe penalties for people who restrict the free movement of trade. Violators can face up to one year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000.
According to the Windsor police, protesters must “clearly understand that it is a criminal offense” to block the border crossing. Violators also risk confiscation of their vehicles, according to police. In addition, a conviction would make entry into the US more difficult.
In Canada, there has been much criticism for the lack of action by the authorities against the blockades in Ottawa, Windsor and a few other places, including a border crossing in the western province of Alberta. Different levels of government want to prevent violence and point to each other as primarily responsible for tackling the situation.