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July 1, 2022 • 36 minutes ago • 9 minutes reading • 70 comments Andrew Larche patrolled Wellington Street on Friday in a custom Canadian flag tunic. I was? Happy to be back ,? after two years without major face-to-face Canada Day events. Photo by Matthew Lapierre / Postmedia
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Protesters of “freedom” who had previously mingled with families, tourists and others in the city center celebrating Canada Day, gathered by the hundreds on Friday afternoon to express their countless grievances for the city’s core which some of them occupied months before.
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“The Patriots are back, girl,” one march leader declared.
Amid Canadian flags, air horns, “Freedom” and “Liberté” bellows, the procession that began on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill and stretched across several islands passed through Centretown.
While the leaders of the march denounced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, they demanded the release of the imprisoned leaders of the “Freedom Convoy” protest Pat King and Tamara Lich and declared that they “kept the line”, some spectators who they roamed the streets greeted them with encouragement, and others were shaken. their heads, they took them out or looked at them puzzled.
It was in stark contrast to the quiet celebration of families visiting Parliament Hill, which remained open to the public despite most of the official celebrations taking place elsewhere.
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It was a momentous day for Ruby Kennedy, who had traveled from Edmonton to Ottawa, where her daughter and grandson live. They hadn’t been together since before the pandemic in 2020. Five-year-old Jerry loves the Peace Tower and Parliament buildings, his grandmother said.
“Oh my God … This is special to me,” Kennedy said. “I’m 70, he’s my youngest grandson, my youngest grandson, and just being able to share Canada Day with him in Ottawa is very special.”
For Marcia McNeil, coming to the city center was a return to her family’s July 1 tradition after the pandemic’s two-year break from the holidays.
It’s not the same as before, McNeil said, when the party used to be largely on Parliament Hill, rather than west at LeBreton Flats and Zibi sites. Still, the Arnprior resident was enjoying herself. Your hope for the day?
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“I hope to see a big fireworks display,” he said laughing.
Canada Day festivities in Ottawa included a display of the Skyhawks parachute team on Parliament Hill. Photo by Jean Levac / Postmedia
The first “confrontation” between authorities and “freedom” protesters took place in the mid-afternoon when city ordinance officials tried to make tickets to protesters who had set up a table on Wellington Street to sell freedom goods.
The group of supporters of the “convoy of freedom,” which still had a few dozen around noon, grew stronger as the day progressed. They clashed with photographers trying to take their photos, chanted “freedom” and someone drew “Awake Canada” with chalk on the street.
“I’m here for freedom of choice,” said a man wearing a “free Pat King” T-shirt.
“The puncture is poison,” said a man who identified himself as Z and said he did not bring his cell phone to the area because he was worried about being tracked.
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“They’re looking at me,” he said.
At one point, a group of women wearing shirts that used an insult to refer to the prime minister set up a table to hand out buttons that said Justin Trudeau was wanted for treason.
Statute officers arrived and spoke to the women, weighing whether they should issue a ticket and order the table to be dismantled. The interaction attracted a crowd and dozens of protesters surrounded the officers. The women said the table was for a religious ceremony and the crowd took off their hats and prayed.
When law enforcement officers left without issuing a ticket, the crowd applauded and chanted “freedom.”
Quite a spectacle, as the agents of the statute considered sending tickets to a couple of women wearing F * Trudeau T-shirts who set up a table to sell freedom material. The crowd sang a prayer and said it was a religious ceremony. Encouraged as the officers marched. pic.twitter.com/BewHw0qQtX
– Matthew Lapierre (@mattlapi) July 1, 2022
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A few minutes later, the screams turned to boos when the police arrived and the table was dismantled.
City officials had warned earlier in the week that “hate” messages of any kind would be treated harshly in activities.
The SkyHawks, the Canadian Forces’ parachute demonstration team, acted on the hill. They fell in the area, spinning and spinning with Canadian-flagged parachutes. When they landed, supporters of the “Freedom Convoy” sang Twisted Sister’s hit “We’re Not Going to Take It,” which was played on their booboxes.
In the afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon delivered messages to the growing crowd at LeBreton Flats.
“Canada is strong for our diversity,” Trudeau said. “No matter what our faith is, where we were born, what color our skin is, what language we speak or who we love, we are all equal members of this great country.
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“Today we celebrate the place we all call home,” he added. “I know that for some, the historical mistakes of our country can make it difficult. But while we cannot change history, we can work to build a better future; one that reflects our values of hope, resilience, kindness, respect and generosity “.
Similarly, Simon urged Canadians to work for a more inclusive society.
“As we celebrate Canada Day, I want to encourage people … to continue to build an inclusive society, one where we can be who we are, without judgment, where everyone belongs,” he said.
Otherwise, Canadian flags were back in vogue on Wellington Street on Friday, but unlike the winter protests, this time there were few cries of “freedom” and few horns.
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Officers from several police agencies were on the lookout and tow trucks were parked on the side streets near the center Friday morning.
The crowd grew throughout the morning, and most people seemed excited to celebrate the first major face-to-face celebration of Canada Day since the start of the pandemic.
Parliamentary Protection Services officers checked in the bags and used hand-held metal detectors to detect people who wanted to enter Parliament Hill. Weapons, alcohol, tents, and barbecues were among the forbidden items on the hill. Signs and banners were allowed, but only if they were made of cardboard or fabric.
Canadian flags were also welcome, but not sticks, officials warned on social media.
The presence of several dozen supporters of the “Freedom Convoy” on Wellington Street did not dominate the crowd. They carried flags that used an inappropriate family slogan to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and vaccine posters. The non-protesting partygoers treated them as a curiosity, taking photos and videos of the small group.
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On Wellington Street, Andrew Larche wore an elaborate robe that he sewed with Canadian flags.
“I love Canada,” he said.
He attended Canada Day for the past two years, but wore a mask and kept his distance.
“It’s Canada, we get over things,” he said. “I’m very happy to be back.”
A man and a woman with Canadian flags laughed head over heels at the list of banned items on the hill.
“This is not Canada,” the woman said. “That’s a shame”.
Meanwhile, at LeBreton Flats, the new home for Canada Day celebrations was just partying and celebrating, with no apparent indication of anyone’s thoughts on vaccines or warrants.
In the mid-afternoon, the diversity that Canada often relies on was shown with great effect on Friday at LeBreton Flats as people of all races, cultures and religions came together to celebrate the one thing that unites us: we are Canadians.
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How was a Canadian celebration? One couple politely asked security if they were allowed to bring beer
Musicians and politicians took to the main stage there, while people watched, listened to and tasted hot dogs and lemonade. Information stands were set up in case, for example, visitors though this would be a good time to look for a subscription to GoodLife Fitness or wonder what Ontario cereal farmers were doing.
Dominic Tremblay was returning in his Captain Canada suit, photo by Bruce Deachman / Postmedia
As it has been in recent years, Dominic Tremblay was a great success, especially with the children. This was the eighth year, apart from the two years in which the ceremonies were held indoors, that the Quebec City resident disguised himself as ‘Captain Canada’ to spread birthday wishes.
“I do it only because I was in the army for 17 years and I am very proud of my country. I have traveled a lot to meet …