Ottawa police will be setting up a vehicle exclusion zone (VEZ) around the downtown core this weekend, preventing Rolling Thunder participants from bringing their motorcycles to the Ottawa War Memorial as originally planned..“We know you are still healing from the disruption and criminality the unlawful protest brought to our streets. Your police service will not allow for unsafe or unlawful conditions that could lead to another unlawful protest,” Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said in a statement to Ottawa city council on Wednesday..“We have heard the concerns about access to residential neighbourhoods, noise, improper driving, parking, acts of hate or intolerance and criminality. That input has been a major factor in the planning for this and other operations,” he said..Bell said Ottawa Police Services (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.. Ottawa-Map .Bell told city council the convoy would roll through “a portion of the city” Saturday before exiting along Nicholas Street to Highway 417. He said the official route would likely be released Thursday or Friday..“I want to be clear with both organizers and participants. You will be held accountable for your actions before, during, and after events,” Bell warned. “Threatening or intimidating behaviours will be addressed with all appropriate enforcement action.”.OPS wrote on Twitter that any vehicles illegally parked in the VEZ zone may be towed and their owners may be fined or even arrested. They said fireworks, public urination, open fires, air/train horns, and structures and tents are also prohibited..Catherine McKenney, a city councillor for Somerset Ward, said on Twitter the VEZ does not offer protection to residential areas. Her ward was at the centre of the Freedom Convoy protests back in February..“I am appalled at the lack of understanding from senior city staff and OPS of the danger impacts to residents in Centretown who bore the brunt of the last illegal occupation that was grossly mismanaged,” she said..Matthew Horwood is the Parliamentary Bureau Chief of the Western Standard.mhorwood@westernstandard.news.Twitter.com/@Matt_HorwoodWS
Ottawa police will be setting up a vehicle exclusion zone (VEZ) around the downtown core this weekend, preventing Rolling Thunder participants from bringing their motorcycles to the Ottawa War Memorial as originally planned..“We know you are still healing from the disruption and criminality the unlawful protest brought to our streets. Your police service will not allow for unsafe or unlawful conditions that could lead to another unlawful protest,” Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said in a statement to Ottawa city council on Wednesday..“We have heard the concerns about access to residential neighbourhoods, noise, improper driving, parking, acts of hate or intolerance and criminality. That input has been a major factor in the planning for this and other operations,” he said..Bell said Ottawa Police Services (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.. Ottawa-Map .Bell told city council the convoy would roll through “a portion of the city” Saturday before exiting along Nicholas Street to Highway 417. He said the official route would likely be released Thursday or Friday..“I want to be clear with both organizers and participants. You will be held accountable for your actions before, during, and after events,” Bell warned. “Threatening or intimidating behaviours will be addressed with all appropriate enforcement action.”.OPS wrote on Twitter that any vehicles illegally parked in the VEZ zone may be towed and their owners may be fined or even arrested. They said fireworks, public urination, open fires, air/train horns, and structures and tents are also prohibited..Catherine McKenney, a city councillor for Somerset Ward, said on Twitter the VEZ does not offer protection to residential areas. Her ward was at the centre of the Freedom Convoy protests back in February..“I am appalled at the lack of understanding from senior city staff and OPS of the danger impacts to residents in Centretown who bore the brunt of the last illegal occupation that was grossly mismanaged,” she said..Matthew Horwood is the Parliamentary Bureau Chief of the Western Standard.mhorwood@westernstandard.news.Twitter.com/@Matt_HorwoodWS
