Updates: Saskatchewan Pledges End To Restrictions, Ottawa Braces For Weekend Protests

Saskatchewan Premier Pledges To End All COVID Restrictions As Ottawa Braces For More Protests

BY TYLER DURDEN

Update (1600ET): As Ottawa braces for thousands of protesters to converse on the city this weekend just like they did last weekend to support the "Freedom Convoy" truckers, the premier of Saskatchewan publicly declared on Thursday that he would end all COVID restrictions later this month.

Premier Scott Moe declared Thursday that "it's time to look at ending all COVID restrictions...people are asking their government for a return to normal, and a removal of public health restrictions."

Meanwhile, a group of parliamentarians from Saskatchewan made their way to the “Freedom Convoy” protest in downtown Ottawa on Feb. 2 to voice their support.

Organizers of the Freedom Convoy have called on supporters to call their elected representatives to express their displeasure with the mandates.

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Overnight, truckers with the Freedom Convoy who have gathered in Coutts, Alberta near the border with Montana managed to refuel and re-supply as supporters continued to contribute to keep the protests going even as the RCMP continue to surround them in a blockade that has disrupted commerce - something the government has tried to blame on the truckers.

But back in Ottawa, where hundreds of protesters remain camped out after this weekend's Freedom Rally at the seat of Canadian government,locals - and local officials (who have already tried to seize money raised for the truckers on GoFundMe) are growing increasingly anxious, since organizers expect the number of supporters in Ottawa to swell in the coming days as the weekend arrives and with it, another wave of protests.

The movement's organizers have pledged not to relent until the Canadian government drops some of its more draconian policies, including a quarantine requirement that essentially would make life impossible for unvaccinated truckers.

He conceded the protest would likely grow again this coming weekend and "there may not be a policing solution" to resolve the impasse.

Tamara Lich, a spokeswoman for the protestors, said she and fellow organizers had been surprised by the turnout at first "but we are now well organized and are settling in, until Canada is a free nation again."

Unfortunately, it seems like local police are insistent on cracking down; they have arrested a handful of demonstrators for a range of charges including carrying a "weapon" to "posting threats on social media".

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