Canadian long-haul truckers and their supporters, opposed to a government order requiring truckers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to cross the border with the United States, have been protesting in the capital, Ottawa, for nearly two weeks.
But what started as a protest against the vaccine mandate has grown into broader dissent against the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and what is perceived as a tightening of individual rights and freedoms, highlighting the anti-vaccination movement.
While a vast majority of truckers are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protesters have vowed to remain in Ottawa until all COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in Canada.
The convoy – which was organised by known far-right activists, according to the Canadian Anti-Hate Network research group – has paralysed the city centre, while local residents have described it as an “occupation“.
