Secure Area Established in Downtown Ottawa

OTTAWA – NEWS – Two of the organizers of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ have been arrested in Ottawa. Tamara Lich was arrested last night, as well as Pat King.

Ottawa Police report they have established a ‘Secure Area’.

“We do not take this decision lightly, we know this will impact the residents. Please bear with us while we work to return the city to a state of normalcy” stated Interim Chief Steve Bell. “We want to reassure everyone that if you live, work or have a reason to be in the area that your access will be minimally impacted.”

All media who are attending the area, please keep a distance and stay out of police operations for your safety. Anyone found within areas undergoing enforcement may be subject to arrest. There will be a media availability later today at 474 Elgin Street. #ottnews

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 18, 2022

Police in a media release say, “Under the Emergencies Act, the Unified Command in control of policing in Ottawa has established a Secured Area to ensure that individuals comply with the Emergency Measures Regulations and to ensure designated places (Parliament, Government buildings, critical infrastructure etc) are protected.

“You cannot travel to or within an area where an assembly is taking place contrary to the Regulations.

“At this time, the Secured Area is from Bronson Avenue to the Canal, the Queensway to Parliament Hill.

“Anyone can enter the Secured Area if you fall under an exemption in the Regulations, meaning that you:

(a) reside, work or are moving through that area for reasons other than to participate in or facilitate the assembly;

(b) are acting with the permission of a peace officer or the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness;

(c) are a peace officer; or

(d) are an employee or agent of the government of Canada or a province who is acting in the execution of their duties.

“You can expect to see police checkpoints where you will be asked your reason for travelling within the Secured Area.

“You will be required to show proof of exemption for your travel to the Secured Area.

“Expect traffic delays in and around the Secured Area. Please avoid the downtown core if you have no reason to be there”.

We want you to be aware that entering the Secured Area for the purpose of contravening the Emergencies Act, may result in you being arrested and/or charged. The Secured Area will only be enforced as long as necessary.

DEMONSTRATORS: You must leave. You must cease further unlawful activity and immediately remove your vehicle and/or property from all unlawful protest sites. Anyone within the unlawful protest site may be arrested. pic.twitter.com/txDattNRE4

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 18, 2022

Tamara Lich has been arrested, but we will continue to #holdtheline pic.twitter.com/GaPZdsrhVe

— FreedomConvoy2022 (@rFreedomConvoy) February 18, 2022

Throughout the day Ottawa Police who started with a notification to people in the downtown Ottawa area, started efforts to break up what Mayor Watson called the occupation of the city.

“Ottawa Police Service wants to inform you that under provincial and federal legislation, you will face severe penalties if you do not cease further unlawful activity and remove your vehicle and/or property immediately from all unlawful protest sites.

• You may be arrested and charged with criminal offences including but not limited to mischief, and potentially charged with a variety of other non-criminal offences.
• Your vehicle and property may be seized or removed.
• Your driver’s licence may be suspended or cancelled.
• CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration) certificates may be suspended or cancelled.
• Your personal or business bank accounts, including virtual currency, may be subject to examination and restriction.
• If you bring a minor (a person under 18) with you to an unlawful protest site, you may be charged and fined up to $5000 and/or potentially spend up to five years in prison.
• Those who are delivering fuel and other supplies to those taking part in the unlawful demonstration can be charged.
• Persons traveling to any other unlawful protest sites to participate in or support the unlawful demonstration can be charged.
• Be aware that legislation now prohibits interference with any critical infrastructure including 400-series highways, railways, airports and international border crossings.”

It’s getting real now. Protestors are deflating the bouncy castle #cdnpoli #ottnews pic.twitter.com/RL1ozLBZ0L

— Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) February 17, 2022