MP for Hastings-Lennox & Addington Shelby Kramp-Neuman says she continues to support people in Ottawa who are protesting with “purpose, respect, and dignity” but she says what she is seeing has now devolved into a “block party”.
Kramp-Neuman made the statement Saturday night on her Facebook page. She says the Freedom Convoy started out as a friendly protest, “However, what I am seeing with my own eyes while walking to and from work on the streets of Ottawa from an increasing amount of bad faith actors is not a legitimate protest: it is two-bit hooliganism hiding behind a façade of veiled legitimacy.”
She says she continues to support people who are there in good faith, “I continue to support your right to peaceful, respectful protest as I always have. However, I urge you to speak up if you see someone breaking the rules. These people lend no credence to your cause and only serve to damage it.”
She says as a Conservative she respects law and order and will speak out when she sees anyone breaking either she will speak out whether she agrees with the cause or not, “We must maintain law and order, especially in our nation’s capital.”
Saying the right to legitimate protest in an “extremely important” pillar of democracy she applauds people protesting with purpose, respect, and dignity, “I acknowledge & applaud your patriotism and fight for freedom.”
Meanwhile, Ottawa Police say they don’t have enough resources to deal with the protest in the downtown core. An emergency Police Services Board meeting was held Saturday afternoon where Chief Peter Sloly was asked if police can continue to provide adequate and effective policing.
Another 60 RCMP officers were sworn in Saturday evening to help support the seven different police forces that have been brought in to support Ottawa police.
According to Ottawa Police, there have been about 400 calls for service on the hotline they set up earlier this week for residents. To date, there have been four arrests with approximately 50 more investigations underway including some that involve American authorities.
Another 1,000 vehicles and 5,000 protesters converged on downtown Ottawa Saturday. The protesters are now setting up bouncy castles downtown and at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium. In the stadium parking lot, what looks like a command centre for the convoy with tents, bouncy castles, and hot tubs.
Organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” intend to have a media briefing on Sunday afternoon.
