Forty-six people have been arrested in Windsor, Ontario, as a result of the Ambassador Bridge protest by the Canadian Freedom Convoy.
According to the Windsor Police Department, the arrests led to 90 charges associated with the protest. Of those arrested, 43 were charged with breaching a court order. Additionally, 37 vehicles and trucks were seized.
“There will be continued police presence in the demonstration area to ensure public safety,” the department wrote in a new release. “There will be zero tolerance for any unlawful activity. There are ongoing investigations into the protestors’ activity.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enacted the Emergencies Act for the first time in 50 years due to the protests, which were started by the self-declared Freedom Convoy against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Trudeau said that Windsor protest was hurting not only local residents, but the nation, as well.
“These illegal blockades are hurting Canadians, and they need to stop,” he said.
The Emergencies Act granted Trudeau the authority to send personnel to areas occupied by forces that “seriously [threaten] the ability of the Government of Canada to preserve the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Canada.”
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is released.
Update 2/15/22, 10:19 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to include comment from the Windsor Police Department and background information.
Photo by Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images
