Despite mainstream media reports the city of Ottawa is almost in a state of anarchy, police stats show street crime has actually fallen since the start of the truckers’ Freedom Convoy, says Blacklock’s Reporter..“We are here out of love for our families, our communities and our nation,” blockade organizer Tamara Lich, of Medicine Hat, told reporters..Lich said protesters opposed to vaccine mandates were “average, peace-loving and law-abiding citizens from all walks of life” and disputed claims the blockade was lawless..“No one from the federal, provincial or municipal government has spoken directly with us,” said Lich..“Instead they are using you, the media, to portray us as racists, misogynists and even terrorists..“As a woman with Métis heritage, a mother and a grandmother I am offended,” said Lich, former executive with the Maverick Party in Alberta..Lich’s remarks followed claims by Liberal and New Democrat MPs that truckers at the protest were violent..“This has gone too far,” said Government House Leader Mark Holland..The blockade “has moved beyond a protest into something much worse,” he said..“We are determined to do our work as parliamentarians. We will not be bullied.”.Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi (Ottawa Centre) told the Commons truckers were “rude, aggressive and intimidating in the local stores” and that “women and staff were scared to go out” at a local shelter..“Firecrackers have been hurled at people wearing masks who are simply passing by,” said Naqvi..New Democrat MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay, Ont.) claimed truckers had “harassed and threatened” women on the streets of Ottawa..“I have received three messages from young women around Gloucester and Metcalfe streets talking about the threats of rape they are facing because of the lawlessness and lack of police to protect residents in Centretown in Ottawa from this protest.”.The truckers’ blockade covers 10 square blocks in the Centretown district. Preliminary police data show street crime fell sharply in the district since the protest began last Friday..The district saw 31 police calls for robbery, assault, drug trafficking, public drunkenness, stolen vehicles, store break-ins and other crimes in the week prior to the protest. There were three reports of street crime since the protest began for mischief, robbery and auto theft. Police yesterday said data was incomplete..“There have been no riots, injuries or deaths,” Police Chief Peter Sloly testified Wednesday at the municipal Police Services Board..“We are arresting, charging and investigating bad actors.”.All charges against truckers to date involved routine traffic violations or breach of a local noise bylaw for horn honking..“The police have been doing their job since day one,” said Bloc Québécois MP Alain Therrien (La Prairie, Que.)..“It is the federal government that is hiding. From day one the prime minister has been throwing fuel on the fire, then he goes and hides behind the police.”.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday described protesters as conspiracy theorists and “tin foil hats” who represented a physical threat..“There is no place in our country for threats, violence or hatred,” said Trudeau.
