Large groups of police officers moved in on protesters in downtown Ottawa Friday, making more than 100 arrests—including high profile organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber and Pat King—during intense clashes with the demonstrators who refuse to leave the area.
Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell called the effort to move in on protesters “methodical” and “well thought out” during a Friday afternoon press conference, commending officers for maintaining control of the situation on the ground.
“We will run this operation 24 hours a day until the residents and community have their city back,” Bell said.
Several hundred protesters are still out in downtown Ottawa, where the eastern police line has inched forward, now spanning between the Senate and Chateau Laurier. Lots of chants of “Freedom!” Lots of weed. I saw two media crews withdraw after being swarmed by protesters. pic.twitter.com/Qy7cRIXhhk
— Marc-André Cossette (@MarcCossette) February 19, 2022
