Police began making arrests near a key US-Canadian border bridge early Sunday, as a court order has failed to end the “Freedom Convoy” protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Police in Windsor, Ontario said they began detaining protesters and towing vehicles just after dawn near the Ambassador Bridge, which runs from the Canadian city to Detroit.
Only two pickup trucks and less than a dozen protesters blocked the road to the bridge before police descended on the demonstrations.
Police barricades, however, remained up at the bride and it’s unclear when it would be opened.
Police on Saturday had attempted to convince protesters to move their pickup trucks and vehicles from blocking the bridge, which sees about 25% of all trade between the two countries.
In the city of Ottawa, where the protests first began weeks ago, crowds of protesters had surged to around 4,000.
The demonstrations had inspired similar protests around the world including New Zealand, where authorities blasted out Barry Manilow’s songs and other tunes in an attempt to get the crowds to leave, the Independent reported.
Among the songs being played on a 15-minute loop was Los Del Rio’s 1990s pop hit “Macarena,” the outlet reported.
Meanwhile, in Canada, a judge ordered an end to the blockade of vehicles.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also declared a state of emergency allowing for fines of 100,000 Canadian dollars and up to one year in jail for anyone illegally blocking roads, bridges, walkways and other critical infrastructure.
The bridge’s closure has impacted commerce, particularly for the auto industry which has been forced to close two plants on both sides.
With Post wires
