“[W]e have arrested 47 people — that brings the total so far to 170,” said Steve Bell, the Interim Chief of Police for the City of Ottawa, in his latest press conference on the ongoing operation.
“As we continue to take back our streets, City of Ottawa crews and other municipal vehicles came into the area to clean up and tow away all of the demonstrators’ possessions and vehicles,” he bragged.
“When we deployed our officers this morning you saw the public order units on the ground sweeping across the downtown core from east to west and moving demonstrators out of the parliamentary precinct,” he went on, stating that officers “continued to face resistance” while doing so and that “at one point a flare was ignited by a protestor”.
In response, he confirmed, “officers used a chemical irritant, also known as pepper spray, to disperse unlawful demonstrators who were resisting police orders.”
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 19: Police stand guard during a protest organized by truck drivers opposing vaccine mandates on February 19th, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. The drivers have used vehicles to form a blockade that has blocked several streets near Parliament Hill. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act in an attempt to try to put an end to the demonstration that has nearly paralyzed a portion of downtown Ottawa for three weeks. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 19th: Police face off with demonstrators participating in a protest organized by truck drivers opposing vaccine mandates on February 19th, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Pictures from the Canadian capital show police in military-style garb and armed with rifles as they move against the Freedom Convoy, supporting other police in more traditional riot gear armed with batons and crude wooden clubs.
“This is tough work,” said Interim Chief Bell, claiming that officers “were doing what they’ve been trained to do” and have “demonstrated unparalleled discipline, restraint, and the utmost professionalism.”
“I commend them for their actions yesterday and throughout the day today,” he declared, heedless of footage showing mounted officers knocking down and appearing to trample an elderly woman with a mobility walker which went viral on social media prior to his conference.
“I’m proud of them and all the members of our police service that have contributed to this operation,” Bell insisted.
Police look on after deploying to remove demonstrators on February 19th, 2022, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 19th: Police face off with demonstrators participating in a protest organized by truck drivers opposing vaccine mandates on February 19th, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“This is actually a Canadian effort,” Bell said of the anti-convoy operation, explaining that the crackdown was Ottawa-led but supported by law enforcement from across the former British colony.
“We have officers from across the province and country here to help us; every person supporting this effort is proud to be here,” he declared, suggesting that there is little hesitance among officers about enforcing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s emergency powers clampdown on protestors.
“Police have a vital role in our democracy, and this operation shows our institution’s commitment and ability to maintain a lawful society,” Bell insisted, in remarks likely to raise eyebrows among those who believe the Canadian state’s use of emergency powers to disperse a protest sometimes literally at gunpoint is indicative to a slide towards authoritarianism in the Covid era.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 19th: Police stand guard during a protest organized by truck drivers opposing vaccine mandates on February 19th, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Members of the press gave the police chief some mild pushback on his claim that his men have acted with restraint, with one asking “with respect, sir, can you explain what appears to be excessive force by police officers when a protestor is arrested; there is multiple videos on social media showing police delivering blows with their knee and their fists while the protestors are down — is this necessary?”
Bell claimed he had not “specifically seen the videos you’re talking about”, despite their having gone viral and Canadians and others from across the globe having flagged them with Ottawa Police’s highly active social media accounts.
Members of the press gave the police chief some mild pushback on his claim that his men have acted with restraint, with one asking “with respect, sir, can you explain what appears to be excessive force by policy officers when a protestor is arrested; there is multiple videos on social media showing police delivering blows with their knee and their fists while the protestors are down — is this necessary?”
Bell claimed he had not “specifically seen the videos you’re talking about”, despite their having gone viral and Canadians and others from across the globe having flagged them with Ottawa Police’s highly active social media accounts.
“If you were involved in this protest we will actively look to identify you and follow up with financial sanctions and criminal charges, absolutely,” the police chief warned.
“This investigation will go on for months to come. It has many, many different streams, both from a federal, financial level, from a provincial licencing level, from a criminal code level, from a municipal breach of court order, breach of court injunction level,” leaving little doubt that members of the Freedom Convoy will be made an example of regardless of whether or not they departed peacefully.
“It will be a complicated and time-consuming investigation that will go on for a period of time. You have my commitment that that investigation will continue and we will hold people accountable for taking our streets over,” he vowed.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 19th: Police stand guard during a protest organized by truck drivers opposing vaccine mandates on February 19th, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 19th: A protestor’s eyes are washed out after being affected by a chemical irritant during a protest organized by truck drivers opposing vaccine mandates on February 19th, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Brethren, this is coming to our country and I can only imagine what the B administration has in store for the truckers and protesters.
We must pray for God’s will to be done!
And Justin, I do pray for your salvation. NOTHING is too difficult for God!
MARANATHA!
The only answer ive heard short of romanian style overthrow of the canadian reich is million plus rush to ottawa and surround the trudeau paramilitary that surround the truckers. For if this does not succeed, either canada will be freed by violence or canada will end up far worse in scope than nazi germany. If america were not almost fallen it could go the 40 miles from n.y to ottawa and do regime change. Trudeau might soon let china deploy troops on us border. Kimmie in n.korea could airmail a special package to the white house and be a hero. Knowing scriptural times, the only answer may be to cling to Jesus in faith, love and obedience and prepare to meet him soon dead or alive.
Trudeau will get his eternal reward, and unless he repents, it is not anything that he can conceive of 😟.
It is hard, but we must pray for our enemies, not because we love them in our hearts, but because we love God and are obedient to HIM.
About a year ago I read a comment that said the Hell we wish upon evildoers is the same place our unsaved family members and friends will be for eternity. That’s a very sobering reminder that we can’t, as Christians, wish Hell on anyone.
In this crumbling world it’s very hard not to hate the evildoer along with his evil, but we can do all things through Christ.
Thank you. I will add something to the end.
My thought on what is hell? Hellfire burns eternally.ancient israel gave hell a slang name of Gehenna. Gehenna was jerusalems garbage dump. The fire always burned but each load of trash was consumed slow or fast.steel or rock burns long time. Paper burns quickly sin is our trash. Some sin so thick & heavy cam burn long. Light sin burns short. If very light may go poof like a drop of water.only God can destroy both body and soul, and thats done in hell.Hell fire Preachers dont like to tell this as some may not fear hell enough. Its to be feared. Its eventual soul destruction and forever cut off.eternal life is for the righteous and not wicked in hell. I dont know the mind of God but suspect jabbed children go poof in hell like a drop, no punishment nor reward. Its still sad if be so.people like trudeau gonna burn a long long time but eventually will be consumed like all types of trash.
I don’t believe that the Word of God supports “annihilism” the Bible describes Hell as unquenchable and never ending fire.
Indeed So. “annihilationism” as nice as it sounds, it is not biblical.
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)
where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ (Mark 9:48)
Shalom
Brian
No problem but will repeat that scripture says to fear the one that can destroy both body and soul for some reason? And in my opiniin did state hell fire is eternally burning. Maybe devil burns forever as a wicked non humam angel. Fire consumes the trash yet fire keeps on. Am just lining up all of meaning of scripture. Dont do fancy names like annihilism. That is a box
Peace out.