The Ambassador Bridge, which links Canada and the U.S. and is an important trade route between the two countries, is set to reopen on Sunday after police removed anti-vaccine protesters, who were part of the “Freedom Convoy” who blocked traffic in the area for the past week.
“Canadian authorities intend to reopen the Ambassador Bridge today after completing necessary safety checks,” The White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall said in a statement. “We stand ready to support our Canadian partners wherever useful in order to ensure the restoration of the normal free flow of commerce.”
Sherwood-Randall noted that most protesters have been removed from the bridge, which links the cities of Detroit and Windsor, adding that barriers are being removed, and the corridor is being secured.
“Canadian authorities are taking proactive steps to ensure no further unlawful disruption of the flow of people and goods occurs. Individuals trespassing on property located on the road to the bridge will be cited for trespassing and their vehicles will be towed,” she said.
Windsor City Mayor Drew Dilkens also confirmed that the bridge will reopen “when it is safe to do so.”
“Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination,” Dilkens said in a statement.
The anticipated reopening of the bridge comes after Canadian police ended the blockade. Multiple arrests were made and vehicles parked at the demonstration area were removed. Those who were arrested are “all facing a charge of mischief” according to police.
Law enforcement cleared out the area after protesters gathered for almost a week to oppose vaccine mandates for truckers crossing Canada from the U.S. On Friday, a Canadian court granted an injunction to allow police to take action against the demonstration.
The Windsor police defended their actions against the protesters during their removal process.
Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images
“You will see a continued police presence in the area in order to maintain an environment that is safe. In an effort to work towards resuming traffic flow, a continuous assessment of the situation is vital to ensure a sustainable solution,” police said in a statement, adding, that there will be “zero tolerance for illegal activity” as law enforcement continues its presence in the demonstration area.
