Canada declares State of Emergency amid 'Out of Control' Protests over Covid Measures

Ottawa, Canada

The mayor of Canada's capital Ottawa Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency in response to more than a week of truckers' protests against Covid restrictions.

Watson said the city was "completely out of control", with demonstrators outnumbering police.

A statement from the city authorities said the state of emergency "reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government."

"It also provides greater flexibility within the municipal administration to enable the City of Ottawa to manage business continuity for essential services for its residents," the statement said.

Ottawa Police on Sunday announced new measures to stop people from helping the protesters keep up their sit-in.

"Anyone attempting to bring material supports (gas, etc.) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest," the police tweeted.

Hundreds of trucks and thousands of people blocked the streets of central Ottawa on Saturday as part of a self-titled "Freedom Convoy" to protest vaccine mandates required to cross the US border.

Source: QNA