Blair Gable and Jenna Zucker

(Reuters) – A march of hundreds of cyclists, pedestrians, cars and bikes waving Canadian flags in downtown Ottawa led to unruly behavior by police officers on Friday.

Friday’s march was protest against government claims of overreach and took place less than three months following a truckers movement that paralyzed capital for three weeks.

Ottawa Police tweeted on Friday, confirming that multiple people were arrested. Officers remained at the scene in order to ensure safety.

The organizers of Friday’s “Rolling Thunder Ottawa” convoy claim they are there to support “freedom and military veterans.” Local media report that many of those involved were present at the protest against cross-border vaccine truckers, and they are now in Ottawa.

Numerous protesters, honking truckers, and drivers holding pick-up trucks and vehicles shouted “freedom!” as they marched through Ottawa. Additional officers were deployed to manage the situation.

Ottawa Police tweeted that multiple vehicles tried to take over a downtown parking garage, but only one of them left.

Ottawa Police was criticised for its handling of the February protests. They had stated that they wouldn’t allow cars to park or stop on their streets. To support municipal authorities, they had added personnel for Friday’s march.

The government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used rarely-used emergency powers in February to end Ottawa protests. Hundreds of people were arrested for blocking the central core of Ottawa near the parliament. They also blocked the border crossings between Canada and the United States.

Neil Sheard is a former Canadian Armed Forces member and one of the main organizers for Friday’s protest.

Sheard posted a YouTube video stating that he plans to place a wreath at National War Memorial as a gesture of respect to veterans. Others are also protesting against government orders and the government in general.

Sheard stated that he supported any organization fighting for freedom for all Canadians because he believes freedom of speech is paid for by veterans.

Andrew MacGillivray of Veterans for Freedom, a participant in the group, said recently to Reuters that Canadians’ rights and freedoms were being eroded.

All events which began Friday evening are scheduled to finish on Sunday.

(This article corrects the name of Andrew MacGillivray’s Veterans for Freedom organisation in paragraph 12