By Anna Mehler Paperny

OTTAWA (Reuters), – Police threatened to clampdown on Monday as protests against Canadian health policies and mandates for vaccines continued.

A large number of truckers founded the Freedom Convoy, which was originally formed to oppose a Canadian mandate for cross-border drivers. However, it became a strong point in opposition to the strict pandemic-fighting measures of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Canada’s capital Ottawa was awakened by its second week of occupation. Its chief of police says the occupation is more than he can handle.

​A short stretch of Metcalfe Street in downtown Ottawa, home to Canada’s parliament, central bank, and buildings including Trudeau’s office, smelled of campfire on Monday morning. There were signs on trucks, cars and tractor without trailers that mocked everything from Canada’s vaccines and mandates to Canada’s carbon tax.

One wore a poster of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This document guarantees the rights of life, liberty, and security of the individual, but only within “reasonable limits”.

The diapers, water bottles and briquettes were placed high alongside open-sided tents made of white canvas with food tables.

Evidence of residents’ resistance was evident. The signs on the ground floors of the apartment buildings were small and said, “GO HOME MORONS,” as well as “VACCINES SAFE LIVES.”

SAUNAS PORTABLE

Residents of downtown Ottawa have been disturbed by late night honking, occasional fireworks and disrupted their normally peaceful lives.

Ottawa Court will consider a request for injunctions to stop the incessant honking that residents claim has made their lives unbearable.

Paul Champ, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said to Reuters that he expected the police “to some degree” to enforce an injunction if granted by the court.

“The Ottawa Police did actually contact us for our input regarding the draft order we requested,” he stated.

Police began to remove fuel and gas supplies from a protester-set up logistics camp on Sunday night after the mayor of the city declared an emergency.

Protesters have been supported by a well-organized supply network, which includes portable saunas and community kitchens as well as bouncy castles for kids. Police said that the protesters have relied partially on support from Americans.

Trump, former president of the United States and Tesla CEO Elon Musk both praised truckers.

Canadian authorities have not backed down from the matter. Trudeau has declared that the Canadian military will not be used to disperse the protest, despite being in isolating himself after testing positive for COVID-19.

Trudeau and his entire family moved out of their home in downtown Ottawa after trucks began arriving. Security concerns have prevented us from disclosing Trudeau’s location.

The weekend saw protests spread to other Canadian capitals, such as Toronto and the financial center, where they were met by counter demonstrations. Protests have been peaceful in Ottawa as well.

Canadians generally follow government health guidelines and almost 79% have received a double dose. However, recent polls indicate that people are becoming more frustrated with restrictions.