Attempts to stop the Rolling Thunder convoy heading to Ottawa this weekend with a vehicle ban by the City of Ottawa are unconstitutional, says the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF)..The JCCF sent an open letter to the City of Ottawa Friday criticizing its plan to “block a planned lawful and peaceful demonstration,” referred to as Rolling Thunder Ottawa, by a group of motorcycle riders and other vehicles, many of whom are veterans..In preparation for the convoy’s arrival, the City of Ottawa announced it will institute a “motor vehicle exclusion zone” in the downtown area. Vehicles involved in event rallies, protests or demonstrations, will be prevented from entering the zone..The letter addressed to the city, Ottawa Police Service (OPS), Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP and Parliamentary Protective Services warning that the “proposed vehicle exclusion zone is unconstitutional.”.“City streets are the traditional place for the public to meet and express themselves. This is particularly true for Ottawa, our nation’s capital,” said JCCF lawyer Hatim Kheir..“The city’s exclusion zone seeks to target vehicles associated with the demonstration and prevents them from assembling. This is especially egregious because it reflects a deliberate intention on the part of the city to infringe on the right to peaceful assembly.”.“Worse still, the exclusion zone is not found in any by-law. Ottawa is attempting to do this by executive power. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms requires that limitations on Canadians’ rights be written down in law. There is no such law authorizing the exclusion zone.”.Convoy officials are encouraging “all participants of Rolling Thunder Ottawa to follow all legislation including the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code of Canada” and have told participants to remain peaceful at all times, according to a statement on the Rolling Thunder website..Ottawa interim Police Chief Steve Bell on Wednesday said OPS does not have the ability to prevent people from protesting on Friday and Saturday, as that is a right enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms..But, the chief said vehicles are now prohibited for use in demonstrations or rallies in the downtown core, including around Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial. According to a map released by OPS, the VEZ will encompass all of downtown Ottawa north of Laurier Street, as well as the Byward Market..The convoy is set to arrive in the country’s capital on Friday with events scheduled throughout the day, including a stop at the National War Monument to pay respects, and rallies at Parliament Hill Friday evening and Saturday afternoon..A group calling itself Community Solidarity Ottawa said it plans to host an “Unwelcoming Party” for the bikers..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandard.news.Twitter: @MelRisdon
