An estimated two hundred and fifty convoy protesters remain on Parliament Hill with neither side willing to budge on their positions. As we head into this weekend, one can’t help but wonder how high the number might grow as supporters once again join in. That’s all not to mention that companion convoys are expected in major cities accross the country.
In my last post, I pondered just how long these truckers could last. Well, the answer is getting more and more clear. Given that although currently paused for review, the Go Fund Me campaigne has already handed the convoy at least a million dollars, and supporters have been bringing supplies into the protest area by foot with hand carts, it looks like they are indeed there for the long haul. At least as it stands now.
To combat this, it has been reported that the convoy has been deprived of porta potties. A human rights complaint is being considered as protesters are claiming this violates their rights to basic human needs. In addition, authorities are clammering about safety concerns regarding fuel stored at the site. This will likely be the next thing they try to cut off. It was reported that a semi permanent structure made of lumber and plywood was being used to store massive amounts of fuel such as diesel and propane. Later it was revealed that the structure was used as a cooking hut.
In the past week we have learned that the convoy was better prepared than anyone could have predicted. They have a hierachy of organizers, captains, and even a former RCMP officer as security consultant. It would also seem that organizers are learning quickly from whatever they may have overlooked by bringing in lawyers and accountants to combat an attempt to deny them funding from their over ten million dollar Go Fund Me campaign. The outcome of that battle remains to be seen.
Organizers have been putting out daily event and safety reports, mainly aimed at their fellow protesers, yet publically available. The report published for February first warns protesters to be wary of those that might attempt to incite violence or other illegal acts. It was mentioned that one trucker was approached by an unidentified individual claiming to be an organizer who attempted to convince the trucker to ram a barrier. Organizers maintained that they will never advocate for acts of violence and urged truckers to photograph and report any individuals that may attempt to incite unaccptable acts.
Protesters have taken on the responsibility of garbage collection and removal from the protest site, keeping the area safe and clean. The above video is of a protester teaming up with a disabled veteran to shovel snow from the war memorial. Although sanitation on the site was one of my main concerns, it remains a fact that with the hours of video footage from the site that I have seen, I cannot identify so much as a bubble gum wrapper on the ground.
The amount of time protesters are able to remain is dependant on their abillity to feul vehicles, feed participants, and maintain sanitation (mainly those related to bathroom needs). The erection of semi temporary structures is a clear indication of how long they are willing to stay. So far, authorities have yet to attempt any successful removal operations. It has been reported that local tow truck drivers that were contacted by or on behalf ot the Ottawa mayor claimed to be unable to remove the trucks and other vehicles due to covid cases among their drivers.
With the possibility of an increase in protester numbers in Ottawa, along with possible solidarity protests in major cities coast to coast, this weekend should prove interesting to say the least.
