Anti-sanitary measures convoys: the movement is growing in Canada, ban in Paris and Brussels


Farmers opposed to health restrictions block a highway near Sarnia with their tractors on February 10, 2022 in Ontario, Canada (AFP/Geoff Robins)

The United States on Thursday called on Canada to use “federal powers” to put an end to the convoys of anti-sanitary measures demonstrators who have been blocking major border axes between the two American neighbors for several days and threatening the economy.

With the blocking of a third border axis with the United States, the protest spread further Thursday to Canada at a time when the movement is inspiring elsewhere in the world, from France to New Zealand.

The demonstrators have indeed decided to hit the economy now by paralyzing essential trade routes which is already disrupting certain sectors such as the automotive industry on both sides of the border, since the blocking four days ago of the Ambassador Bridge, between the Ontario and Detroit in the United States.

Washington has offered its “full and complete help”, White House officials said Thursday, adding that several US ministers were in regular contact with their Canadian counterparts on the matter.

They also assured that the Biden administration was “mobilized around the clock to end quickly” to the crisis.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called again on Thursday for an end to the protests: “It’s time for this to end because it hurts Canadians” but without offering a concrete action plan.

His government merely indicated that police reinforcements would be sent to the blocking points, but without further details.

Anti-sanitary protesters have been blocking access to the Ambassador Bridge since Monday

Anti-sanitary protesters have been blocking access to the Ambassador Bridge since Monday (AFP/Geoff Robins)

Concern has escalated in recent days as by blocking the Ambassador Bridge, protesters have touched a central nerve for the auto industry and forced industry giants – Ford, Stellantis and Toyota – to temporarily suspend or slow down production lines in several factories.

Calling the situation a “national crisis”, City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens announced his intention to “evict” the protesters by force if he gets permission from a court.

“The economic damage this occupation is causing to international trade cannot last and must end,” he added.

Canada: anti-sanitary measures convoys

Canada: anti-sanitary measures convoys (AFP/Jonathan WALTER)

The area around the bridge is crucial to the auto industry, says Jason Miller, a supply chain expert at Michigan State University. “Some pieces can cross the bridge up to five, six or seven times.”

This cross-border bridge sees more than 40,000 workers and tourists pass through it every day, and truckers carry an average of $323 million worth of goods across it daily.

“It is imperative that local, provincial and national governments across Canada defuse this economic blockade,” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday, calling on them to take “all necessary action.”

– “We don’t like to make a fuss” –

The movement is spreading on the roads and seemed to be at an impasse in the streets of the federal capital Ottawa, noted an AFP journalist. Hundreds of trucks are still blocking the streets, installed in front of Parliament and the offices of Justin Trudeau.

Protesters opposed to health restrictions block a street in Ottawa, February 10, 2022 in Canada.

Protesters opposed to health restrictions block a street in Ottawa on February 10, 2022 in Canada (AFP/Dave Chan)

The city police again explained that they were “not able” to “put an end” to the demonstration without reinforcements. Its leader Peter Sloly explained “not having sufficient resources” to “prevent the supply of gasoline to the trucks” which block the streets, or to “make arrests”.

In fact, despite a warning issued to demonstrators on Wednesday, the police have only made two new arrests, bringing the number to 25 since the beginning of the movement.

“You know you’ve done something wrong when Canadians are outraged. We’re known to be very peaceful, we don’t like to make a fuss,” said Naomi Gilman, a 30-something Ottawa resident. of years.

For Ed Humphrey, tattoos in his neck, earring and hat on his head, who cleans the busy streets, “ordinary people are finally talking, that’s exactly this movement!”. Coming from Manitoba, this worker is delighted “with the growing support”.

In Europe, the authorities have taken the lead: rallies planned for the weekend have been banned, particularly in Paris and Brussels.

Participants in the Freedom Convoy during a stop in Le Mans, February 11, 2022

Participants in the “Freedom Convoy” during a stop in Le Mans, February 11, 2022 (AFP/JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER)

This movement, baptized as in Canada “freedom convoys”, seems to be gaining momentum, especially in France to protest against the vaccination pass.

His supporters claim to be “yellow vests”, the popular mobilization of 2018-2019, triggered by a rise in gasoline prices which had turned into a revolt against President Emmanuel Macron.

In New Zealand, where anti-vaccine protesters have been gathering for three days near Parliament in Wellington, clashes broke out between police and protesters on Thursday. More than 120 people were arrested.

© 2022 AFP

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