“Most protesters have left. What remains is a group of highly driven individuals,” said the police chief. To ensure that these people also leave, the authorities are currently considering all options, “including support from the army.”
Canadian military personnel have only been called upon to quell unrest twice in the recent history of the Canadian capital, in 1970 and 1990. “The deployment of the military carries enormous risks,” said Sloly, who expects some of the demonstrators carrying weapons.
Authorities fear that more protesters will return to the city this weekend, after 15,000 people caused major disturbances at the Canadian parliament building last weekend. The reason for the protests was a vaccination requirement for truck drivers crossing the border, but the protest quickly turned across the country against all corona restrictions that have been introduced.
According to Police Chief Sloly, it is now clear that the demonstration is receiving widespread support from the United States, where millions of dollars have been raised through fundraising efforts for the protest. Several Americans, such as the son of former President Donald Trump and Tesla boss Elon Musk, have expressed support for the protesters via Twitter.