Canada's Freedom Convoy ups the ante: Anti-mandate protesters circle Ottawa airport in revenge at Trudeau writing them off as extremists - as US government warns that a convoy planning to snarl traffic from California to DC could cause Super Bowl chaos
Canada's Freedom Convoy movement is finding creative ways around the government's attempt to slow down protests throughout the capital city of Ottawa by circling the arrival and departure lanes at the city's airport.
The anti-vaccine mandate protesters made their way to Ottawa International Airport - which have shut down the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario - Thursday, still angry at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referring to them as 'a few people shouting and waving swastikas.'
Truckers arrived at the airport just past 8 a.m. and began driving through the arrival and departure lanes in a loop and honking their horns. An organizer for the protest said they plan to stay for 'hours.'
Meanwhile, US Department of Homeland Security officials believe a similar movement could be headed to the states set around Super Bowl Sunday that could run from California to Washington DC.
A spokesperson for Ottawa International Airport said that about 60 to 70 light trucks were circling and advised travelers to give themselves extra time.
People holding Canadian flags protest at the Ottawa International Airport
People protest at the Ottawa International Airport, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against vaccine mandates
The trucks have largely sported the Canadian flag as they attempt to disrupt Ottawa International Airport
Freedom Convoy has dispatched an element to the Ottawa Airport who are driving around the loop of deparatures and arrivals and honking their horns Thursday morning
A dispatch from inside the Freedom Convoy
The convoy has moved to the airport in an attempt to circumvent a ban on honking horns in downtown Ottawa
Trucks block the streets surrounding Parliament on February 10, 2022 in Ottawa
A protestor bangs gas cans together while yelling 'Freedom'
Justin Trudeau, seen here with President Joe Biden, has largely dismissed the protesters as extremists
'Airport traffic is already extremely light due to the pandemic so the impact so far is minimal,' Krista Kealey said. 'We are monitoring the situation with our security and airport policing teams and advise anyone who is traveling today to give themselves extra time to get to the airport.'
The spokesperson then spoke negatively of the protest movement disrupting air travel.
'We are very disappointed that the protesters have chosen to disrupt an industry that has already been decimated by the pandemic,' she said. 'Disrupting our airport will hurt people who are already suffering, including passengers and employees who rely on our industry for their livelihood and wellbeing.'
The pivot to airport protests comes after a 10-day injunction was granted by a judge banning horn-honking in downtown Ottawa. The airport protests would work around that as the airport is unaffected by the ban.
Police in Ottawa have also issued a warning that protesters blocking downtown streets could be arrested without a warrant and charged criminally, according to the Telegraph.
Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan
With the Super Bowl scheduled this Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the department of homeland security is worried a US version of the protests could begin
Meanwhile, the US Department of Homeland Security is hearing rumblings that the protests could arrive stateside around Super Bowl Sunday.
DHS is warning law enforcement and public safety that a 'prolonged trucker convoy' protesting vaccine mandates could begin on February 13, when the Super Bowl is scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
'The convoy could severely disrupt transportation, federal government, and law enforcement operations through gridlock and potential counterprotests,' the warning states in a classified document obtained by Yahoo News.
The DHS alert added: 'The group intends to start in California as early as mid-February and travel to Washington, D.C., as late as mid-March, reportedly gathering truckers as they travel across the country,' adding that truckers from the protest in Ottawa may also head to Washington to participate.
However, they note that the protests are 'only being discussed online' for now but a DHS source told Yahoo that the movement is 'absolutely a real concern.'
Protesters gather and speak outside Ottawa International Airport
Truck drivers and their supporters gather to block the streets as part of a convoy of truck protesters against COVID-19 mandates Wednesday night
Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Mich., Wednesday
The DHS public safety alert said the proposed dates for the American version of convoy are intended to coincide with the Super Bowl and President Biden's upcoming State of the Union address on March 1.
Some impact is being felt on the American side of the US-Canada border in Michigan, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer releasing an angry statement demanding the Ambassador Bridge be reopened.
'My message is simple: Reopen traffic on the bridge,' she said. 'In Michigan, our economy continues to grow because of our hardworking people and innovative small businesses. Now, that momentum is at risk. Commercial traffic is at a standstill at the Ambassador Bridge and heavily backed up at the Blue Water Bridge.'
She added that the blockade is 'having a significant impact on Michigan's working families who are just trying to do their jobs' and called it 'unacceptable.'
'The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest land border crossing in North America, used by tens of thousands of commuters and truck drivers carrying hundreds of millions of dollars of goods every day,' she noted. 'Countless Michiganders rely on this daily flow of goods and people to get things done.'
Whitmer finished the statement by demanding Canadian government officials de-escalate the blockade.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released an angry statement demanding the Ambassador Bridge be reopened and Canadian officials de-escalate with the blockade
Three Toyota plants in Canada are to cease production for a week due to the truck drivers' protests and blockades
The General Motors plant in Delta Township, Michigan has been forced to cancel a second shift due to lack of supply for production.
The plant employed 1,401 workers for the second shift, which ran from 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
'We are working closely with our logistics providers to mitigate any potential impacts to our production and operations,' Erin Davis, a communications representative with GM, told WLNS.
Canadian truck drivers have, since mid January, been protesting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates which they say harm their industry. Canada has a high level of vaccination - almost 90 percent of adults are vaccinated, and 85 percent of truckers. The blockade is not supported by the Canadian Trucking Alliance.
Trudeau on Wednesday tweeted: 'The blockades in Windsor and Ottawa are endangering jobs, impeding trade, threatening the economy, and obstructing our communities. They must stop.'
He said he spoke with Ontario's premier Doug Ford, and that they were 'working to support Ontarians and get the situation under control.'
Ford added: 'We will continue working together to support our police forces as they manage these situations. We both agreed this must come to an end.'
The bridge being blocked carries 25 percent of trade between the countries and sees 8,000 trucks pass each day.
The Ambassador Bridge between the U.S. and Canada is pictured on Wednesday. It normally sees 8,000 trucks cross every day
Protestors against COVID-19 vaccine mandates block the roadway at the Ambassador Bridge, connecting Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ontario, on Wednesday
Vehicles block the road to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia on Wednesday as the truckers' protest continues
On Wednesday, Conservative Party leaders called on Trudeau to set a date to end the restrictions.
But Trudeau said the decision is based on science and said conservatives should be there for Canadians by ending the protests and barricades.
Trudeau was accused by the Opposition Leader Candice Bergen of politicizing the pandemic and dividing Canadians.
'It seems like the Prime Minister wants to live in a permanent pandemic,' she said.
He accused Conservative Party leaders, supporting the protests, of harming Canadian business.
'The support of the conservative party for barricading our streets and border crossings is harming businesses and driving up prices, uncertainty and stability,' he said.
'The Ambassador Bridge is critical for trade and this blockade poses significant risk to our supply chains.
'Illegally blocked trade routes means empty shelves and higher prices. They have a right to protest, but they don't have a right to illegally block roads and harass residents.'
Trudeau's Liberal Party outnumbers the Conservatives 160-119 in Parliament after November's snap election, though the Liberals are a minority parliament rule, occasionally forming coalitions with the far left New Democrat Party (NDP) and the Bloc Quebecois, which argues for separatism for the French-speaking province of Quebec.
The White House has also weighed in on the blocked Ambassador Bridge, saying that it risks hurting the auto industry for the United States.
'We are watching this very closely,' White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said at a news briefing.
'The blockade poses a risk to supply chains, for the auto industry.'
Psaki said a White House Homeland Security adviser convened a meeting on the issue and officials are talking with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's office and automakers.
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