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A8 The BulleTin • Sunday, FeBruary 13, 2022 U.S.-CANADA BORDER Police arrive to remove protesters BY ROB GILLIES AND MIKE HOUSEHOLDER associated Press WINDSOR, Ontario — Canadian police moved in Saturday to remove protesters who have disrupted Cana- da-US trade at a major bridge border crossing, though several trucks re- mained blocking traffic. Many protesters began driving away as police approached shortly af- ter dawn. They had spent the night at the busiest crossing between the United States and Canada despite new warn- ings to end the blockade that has dis- rupted the flow of goods between the two countries and forced the auto in- dustry on both sides to roll back pro- duction. With dozens of police around his car, a man with “Trump 2024” and “Mandate freedom” spray-painted on his vehicle left without any resistance. Other protesters began dismantling a small tarp-covered encampment. But three large trucks and about 20 protesters remained blocking traffic early Saturday and they began singing Canada’s national anthem. The demonstrators are protesting against Canada’s COVID-19 man- dates and restrictions. There is also an outpouring of fury toward Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “The Windsor Police & its policing partners have commenced enforce- ment at and near the Ambassador Bridge. We urge all demonstrators to act lawfully & peacefully. Commuters are still being asked to avoid the areas affected by the demonstrations at this time,” police tweeted. “The illegal blockades are impact- ing trade, supply chains & manufac- turing. They’re hurting Canadian families, workers & businesses. Glad to see the Windsor Police & its po- licing partners commenced enforce- ment at and near the Ambassador Bridge. These blockades must stop,” Federal Innovation Minister Fran- cois-Philippe Champagne tweeted. A judge on Friday ordered protest- ers at the Ambassador Bridge over the U.S.-Canadian border to end the blockade that has now entered a sixth day. On Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in nathan denette/The Canadian Press Truckers and supporters block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions Friday in Windsor, Ontario. the province that will allow his cab- inet to impose $100,000 fines and up to one year in jail as punishments against people who continue to ille- gally block roads, bridges, walkways and other critical infrastructure. Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz of the Ontario Superior Court issued an injunction giving protesters blocking cross-border traffic until 7 p.m. Friday to clear out. However, the deadline came and went. Windsor police immediately warned that anyone blocking the streets could be subject to arrest and their vehicles could be seized. The news was met earlier with defi- ance by protesters. At the Ambassador Bridge, an unidentified person grabbed a mi- crophone and addressed the crowd, asking if they wanted to stay or leave when the deadline rolled around. By a show of applause, it was agreed they would stay. “OK,” the man said. “Let’s stand tall.” The protesters responded by singing the Canadian national an- them. The Ambassador Bridge is the bus- iest U.S.-Canadian border crossing, carrying 25% of all trade between the two countries. The standoff comes at a time when the auto industry is al- ready struggling to maintain produc- tion in the face of pandemic-induced shortages of computer chips and other supply-chain disruptions. While the Canadian protesters are decrying vaccine mandates for truck- ers and other COVID-19 restrictions, many of the country’s infection mea- sures, such as mask rules and vaccine passports for getting into restaurants and theaters are already falling away as the omicron surge levels off. Pandemic restrictions have been far stricter in Canada than in the U.S., but Canadians have largely supported them. The vast majority of Canadians are vaccinated, and the COVID-19 death rate is one-third that of the United States.
