Anti-vaccine protest in Canada spurs outrage

AP

Toronto, February 2

In a scene at odds with Canadians’ status for niceness and rule-following, 1000’s of protesters railing in opposition to vaccine mandates and different Covid restrictions descended on the capital over the weekend, intentionally blocking site visitors round Parliament Hill.

Some urinated and parked on the {National} Battle Memorial. One danced on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Various them carried indicators and flags with swastikas.

Within the aftermath of Canada’s greatest pandemic protest thus far, the demonstrators have discovered little sympathy in a rustic the place greater than 80 per cent are vaccinated. Many individuals had been outraged by a few of the crude behaviour.

Prime {Minister} Justin Trudeau referred to as the Ottawa protesters a “fringe minority” and stated they mirrored the proliferation of “disinformation and misinformation on-line”.          

Organisers, together with one who has espoused white supremacist views, had raised thousands and thousands for the cross-country “freedom truck convoy” in opposition to vaccine mandates. It attracted help from former US President Donald Trump and Tesla billionaire Elon Musk.

Trudeau and his household had been moved to an undisclosed location through the protest. (Two of his youngsters examined constructive for Covid, and a take a look at on Tuesday revealed he, too, was contaminated. He stated he’s advantageous and dealing remotely.)  

A smaller however nonetheless vital variety of protesters remained on the streets on Wednesday, saying they will not depart till all vaccine mandates and different restrictions are gone. They’re additionally calling for the elimination of Trudeau’s authorities, although it’s answerable for few of the measures, most of which had been put in place by provincial governments.

“It is time for Canada and the remainder of the world to seek out different methods to take care of this virus,” stated protester Michelle Kloet, 47, of Canmore, Alberta.

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