Two very different demonstrations — one calling for an end to COVID-19 mandates, another demanding accountability after the recent occupation — took to the streets of downtown Ottawa Saturday.
In front of Parliament Hill, hundreds of people took part in a “freedom protest,” although the crowd was significantly smaller than the truck convoy demonstrations that drew in thousands of people last month.
“We wanted to bring some unity back, without the noise,” said demonstrator Alex Major, who was part of a human chain that formed along Wellington Street.
Saturday’s rally was about bringing peace, Major said. Flags opposing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were not allowed, he said.
Many provinces are in the process of lifting COVID-19 mandates, with Ontario having removed its vaccine certificate system along with capacity limits in all indoor settings.
Quebec has been lifting its public health restrictions in stages, with more changes to come March 12th.
Some protesters later relocated to near the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, holding signs that read “Free the Prisoners.” Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Pat King remain behind bars there after their arrests last month.
Hassan Husseini, who helped organize a march to Ottawa police headquarters over the handling of the recent convoy protests, stands outside Ottawa City Hall on March 5, 2022. (Rachelle Elsiufi/CBC)
‘Owed an explanation,’ says anti-convoy organizer
Down the street from Parliament Hill, Ottawans opposed to the convoy protest gathered in front of Ottawa City Hall before marching to the Elgin Street headquarters of the Ottawa Police Service.
The marchers demanded police and all levels of government take responsibility for allowing the occupation to last as long as it did.
“We’re sending them a message that there needs to be accountability,” said Hassan Husseini, an organizer with Community Solidarity Ottawa.
It took three weeks before police officers from several forces across the country gained back Wellington Street and parts of downtown Ottawa. At least 170 people were arrested and 53 vehicles were towed.
Officers also seized 22 license plates and suspended 11 commercial vehicle operator registrations.
There were also open displays of hate symbols, and some residents said they were subjected to racial, homophobic and transphobic slurs.
Husseini said residents are “owed an explanation” as to what happened. He said there should be a “no-holds-barred inquiry where nobody is protected and [which] is completely transparent.”
The Prime Minister has said the implementation of the Emergencies Act, done to clear out the protesters, triggers its own inquiry, and has already pledged it will take place within 60 days.
“We are going to be organizing against hate, against white supremacy, against the new fascists and the neo-Nazis. And that’s what we have started to do,” said Husseini, who helped orchestrate a downtown solidarity rally last week.
“So this is another action on … the road of our long-term organizing in the city.”
Tim Houston, who is seeking a second term as Nova Scotia premier, said he had no plans to invite Poilievre to join him on the campaign ahead of the Nov. 26 provincial election. He explained the provincial Progressive Conservatives have no formal ties with the Tories in Ottawa — and he made a point of saying he is not a member of the federal party. Experts say it also is because the latest polls suggest Atlantic Canadians have not warmed to Poilievre. (Nov. 5, 2024)
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — It has been a rough few days for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. First, his 19th-ranked Tigers lost to Louisville on Saturday night, then he was told he couldn’t vote Tuesday at his polling place.
Swinney, whose given name is William, explained that the voting system had locked him out, saying a “William Swinney” had already voted last week. Swinney said it was his oldest son, Will, and not him.
“They done voted me out of the state,” Swinney said. “We’re 6-2 and 5-1 (in the Atlantic Coast Conference), man. They done shipped me off.”
Dabo Swinney had to complete a paper ballot and was told there will be a hearing on Friday to resolve the issue.
“I was trying to do my best and be a good citizen and go vote,” he said. “Sometimes doing your best ain’t good enough. You have to keep going though, keep figuring it out.”
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EDMONTON – The judge leading a fatality inquiry into the knockout death of a boxer is recommending changes to how the sport is regulated and how head injuries are monitored.
Timothy Hague, who was 34, competed in a boxing match licensed by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission in June 2017 when his opponent, Adam Braidwood, knocked him unconscious.
Hague came to and was able to walk to the dressing room, where he vomited, and was then taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for a large brain bleed.
His condition did not improve, care was withdrawn and Hague died two days after the fight.
Justice Carrie Sharpe with Alberta’s provincial court made 14 recommendations, including that combat sports be overseen by a provincial authority instead of a patchwork of municipal bodies and that there be concussion spotters at every event.
She also recommends that if a fighter receives a blow to the head in a technical knockout, they must provide a brain scan to prove they are fit to compete again.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
