Canada Cracks Down on Ottawa Protest

UPDATE: Canada’s government has invoked emergency powers to break up the “Freedom Convoy.” Some fear this will deepen divisions.

• Canadian police on Thursday moved in to break up a three-week protest that has hamstrung the city of Ottawa and has galvanized far-right movements around the world.
• Truckers from around Canada converged on Ottawa in January in order to protest vaccine mandates and to express other grievances directed at Canada’s left-wing government.
• The protests have since been infiltrated by far-right extremist groups, according to Canadian police. They’ve also drawn support from conservatives and members of the US Republican Party.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked emergency powers to crack down on the protest, drawing some criticism. Some politicians even in his own party have accused him of “divisive” tactics.
• Others argue emergency powers are justified given the threat posed by anti-government extremists who have joined the protest movement.
• Copycat protests have already taken place across Europe in countries like Belgium, France and Austria. Some analysts fear an escalation of tensions in Canada may fuel more protests abroad.