The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and its partners have made headway in clearing protestors from the city.
On Saturday afternoon, the city announced that the streets in front of the parliament building have now been secured.
Please see the map below for the Secured Area and road closures in place until further notice as announced by @OttawaPolice on Thursday, February 17.
Info: https://t.co/2blTs8QDhN pic.twitter.com/2Yfo1YJf60— City of Ottawa (@ottawacity) February 19, 2022
In a press conference, Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said that police needed to add helmets and batons to their uniforms in response to protestors acting aggressively.
Bell also said that officers used pepper spray in an effort to clear the crowds.
Protesters continue to be aggressive and assaultive on officers. They are refusing to comply with the orders to move. You will have seen officers use a chemical irritant in an effort to stop the assaultive behavior and for officer safety.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 19, 2022
Police said that there have now been 170 arrests made, with nearly 80 of them occurring on Friday and Saturday.
This morning, 87 vehicles were on Kent St. All trucks south of Queen Street have left.
Vehicles removed from the secure zone since yesterday: 46
Arrests: 170
Licence plates seized: 22
Total towed vehicles: 53 #ottawa #ottnews— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 19, 2022
Three of the organizers of the demonstration have been apprehended.
Both Tamara Lich and Christopher Barber were arrested on Friday, February 18, while Patrick King was arrested early Saturday morning.
Saturday’s press conference by the OPS can be viewed here.
