Canadian protesters in opposition of vaccine mandates return to Pacific Highway

Protesters reconvened on the Canadian side of the Pacific Highway border crossing February 19, less than a week after Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cleared the area of “Freedom Convoy” protesters. Some protesters verbally assaulted members of the media.

Canadian officials advised travelers to use alternate ports of entry for a couple of hours February 19, as a preventative measure to help ensure public and officer safety, according to a RCMP news release. Protesters had blocked a major intersection beyond the crossing, 176 Street and 8th Avenue in Surrey, B.C. By 8 p.m., the majority of protesters and vehicles left the area and traffic resumed at the crossing.  

According to a RCMP news release, officers had to intervene and ensure the media members safe passage to their vehicles.

“These kinds of acts of aggression and intimidation toward media, or any member of the public, are simply unacceptable,” RCMP sergeant Elenore Sturko said in a statement.“While it is not always safe for our officers to take immediate enforcement action at the time of the alleged offenses based on the size of the crowd of protesters, these incidents will be fully investigated and could lead to subsequent arrests or charges.”

On the same day, in Ottawa, police cleared the streets around Parliament Hill, bringing an end to weeks-long protests in the nation’s capital against government mandates. According to news reports, police arrested nearly 200 people in total.

“Freedom Convoy” protesters have also blocked other crossings along the U.S./Canada border for multiple days in the past couple of weeks. 

Although the demonstrations at the Pacific Highway crossing simmered, RCMP officials said police would continue to have a presence in the area and investigate the reported intimidation and assault against members of the media.

“It’s been a very busy day for our teams on the ground, and those supporting operations from behind the scenes,” Sturko said. “Our work here is not done though, and the public can expect a continued police presence in the days and nights ahead.”