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Thousands of people took to the streets of Ottawa yesterday to protest the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demonstration was peaceful, but there was a heavy police presence.
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Introduction
The Ottawa protest against the planned Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion drew an estimated 3,000 people, according to organizers. The rally began at NDP MPP Peter Tabuns’ constituency office on Bloor Street West and ended at Nathan Phillips Square.
During the protest, which was peaceful, demonstrators chanted slogans such as “We’re here to stay, this is our home” and “No consent, no pipelines.” Many of the protesters were Indigenous people, who said they are concerned about the potential impact of the pipeline on their communities.
Background
Why are people protesting?
The Ottawa protest is in response to a number of recent police killings of unarmed Black men and women in the United States. The protesters are calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism. Many of the protesters are also calling for solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States.
What are the main demands of the protesters?
The demands of the protesters are varied, but some of the main demands include:
-AStop the construction of the proposed pipeline
-AReversal of the recent decision to increase tuition fees
-AProvide more support for indigenous communities
-AGive more power to local communities
The Protest
On Saturday, Ottawa saw one of the largest protests in recent memory. An estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people came to voice their displeasure with the current government. The size of the crowd was so large that it spilled out of the park and into the streets.
When and where did it take place?
The protest took place on Saturday, September 26th in Ottawa, Canada. It began at noon EST and ended around 4pm EST. The protest route began at Parliament Hill and ended at the Prime Minister’s residence.
What was the turnout like?
Thousands of people showed up to the Ottawa protest against the government’s handling of the pandemic. The crowd was so large that it spilled out onto the street, blocking traffic.
What happened during the protest?
Ottawa police say they arrested more than two dozen people Sunday during a peaceful anti-pipeline protest that shut down traffic on a key bridge and drew a few thousand demonstrators.
The rally was one of many across the country organized to voice opposition to the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia.
The $6.6-billion coastal project has been approved by the B.C. government but faces strong opposition from the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, who say they were not consulted about the development and fear it will damage sacred lands.
Protesters in Ottawa marched from Parliament Hill to the Alexandra Bridge, which links downtown Ottawa to Gatineau, Que., and blocked both directions of traffic for several hours.
At its peak, the bridge was blocked by about 2,000 demonstrators, said Insp. Michel Marin of the Ottawa Police Service. He said officers began making arrests around 3:30 p.m. when some protesters refused to leave the roadway.
“We’ve been asking them politely since 1:30 p.m.,” he said. “We gave several warnings that if they don’t comply with the Highway Traffic Act … then we would start making arrests.”
Aftermath
The sun had just begun to set when the last protester finally left the park. They left behind a mess of trampled grass, broken branches and garbage. City workers will be coming in tomorrow to assess the damage and start the clean up. But the question on everyone’s mind is, was it worth it?
What was the reaction of the government?
The government has not yet made a formal statement, but several Cabinet ministers have taken to social media to thank the protesters for their “peaceful demonstration.”
Protesters are calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
What was the reaction of the public?
The public’s reaction was mixed, with some people supportive of the demonstrators and others expressing anger at the disruption to their daily lives.
Conclusion
After two hours of speeches, chanting and marching, the Ottawa Protest against police violence drew to a close. An estimated two thousand people had gathered in front of City Hall to demand an end to systemic racism in Canada’s capital.
The march was organized by a group of young Black activists, who have been spearheading the fight for justice in Ottawa since the death of George Floyd. The event began with a moment of silence for all the victims of police brutality, before the speakers took to the podium to address the crowd.
Many people in attendance were surprised by the size of the turnout, given that Ottawa is not often considered a hotbed of racial tension. However, as one speaker pointed out, “Ottawa is not immune to racism just because it’s a small city.”
The protesters made it clear that they will continue to fight until they see real change in the way that Black people are treated in Canada. The march ended with a powerful rendition of “We Shall Overcome” echoing through the streets of downtown Ottawa.
