Keep up with the latest news on protests in Ottawa, Canada. Get information on what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how you can get involved.
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Introduction
As protests continue in the wake of George Floyd’s death, many cities are preparing for potential unrest. Here’s what you need to know about the situation in Ottawa.
On May 25, George Floyd, an unarmed black man, was killed in Minneapolis after a police officer pinned him to the ground by kneeling on his neck for over eight minutes. The death of Floyd – and the decision not to charge the officer involved – has sparked outrage and protests across the United States, as well as in several other countries.
In Ottawa, a peaceful protest is scheduled for today at 4:00 p.m. at Confederation Park. The organizer, Jide Macaulay, is urging people to come out and show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
“This is a moment for all of us to stand up and be counted,” Macaulay said in an interview with CBC News. “We want to make it very clear that here in Ottawa, we are standing with our black brothers and sisters in the United States.”
He added that the goal of the protest is to raise awareness and spark conversation about racism and police brutality. “We want people to understand that this is not just an issue for black people,” he said. “This is an issue for all of us.”
The protest comes just days after a similar event in Toronto turned violent, with police cars being set on fire and businesses being vandalized. While Macaulay says he doesn’t anticipate any problems at today’s event, he urges people to come prepared with water andsunscreen, as well as face masks if they have them.
“We want this to be a peaceful event,” he said. “But we also want people to be safe.”
Background
The Ottawa protests began in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020. The Ottawa protests are part of a wave of anti-racism demonstrations that have taken place across the United States and Canada since Floyd’s death.
The Ottawa protests have been peaceful for the most part, although there have been some instances of violence and property damage. The vast majority of protesters have been peaceful and have followed the orders of police.
The Protest
The protest in Ottawa is now in its second day, and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. Here’s what you need to know about the ongoing situation.
The protest began on Saturday, September 21st, in response to the Canadian government’s proposed new anti-terrorism bill, Bill C-51. The bill would give the government increased powers to track and detain suspected terrorists, as well as making it easier for them to share information about suspects between different agencies.
Critics of the bill say that it goes too far in infringing on civil liberties, and that it could be used to target peaceful protesters and other dissidents. The protest in Ottawa is being led by a group called Stop Bill C-51, which is made up of a coalition of civil liberties and human rights organizations.
So far, the protest has been peaceful, with no reports of any violence or arrests. However, tensions are running high, and there is a large police presence in the area. The Ottawa Police have stated that they will not tolerate any illegal activity, and have warned protesters that they may be subject to arrest if they break any laws.
The protest is expected to continue into Sunday, September 22nd.
Aftermath
Aftermath of the protest
The police have made several arrests and are investigating the incident. The area around the parliament buildings has been reopened to the public.
An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Conclusion
After a weekend of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, things have largely died down in Ottawa. protest News: Here’s What You Need to Know)
Here’s a recap of what’s been going on:
Demonstrators have been protesting against the government’s handling of Indigenous affairs and the recent implementation of Bill C-51, among other things.
The police have been criticized for their response to the protests, which has included the use of pepper spray and tear gas.
There have been several arrests, but no reports of major violence or property damage.
For the most part, things seem to be calming down now. But we’ll keep you updated if anything else happens.
