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Canada Day: Plan for ‘Freedom’ party at Supreme Court is shut down

Canada Day: Plan for ‘Freedom’ party at Supreme Court is shut down

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Workers erected a large fence on Wellington Street in front of the court, prompting protest organizers to change direction

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“Freedom” groups protesting pandemic public-health measures have apparently abandoned their plans to hold a Canada Day party on the lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada.

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They’ll meet up instead on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill for a march to city hall, said a key promoter in a video Monday night.

Plans had been publicized on social media for a “freedoming” picnic on Canada Day at the Supreme Court with games, speakers and concerts.

But a fence about eight feet tall has been erected on Wellington Street in front of the Supreme Court lawn. On Tuesday morning, concrete barriers were installed in front of the fence.

“They want to keep pushing us out…” said Dave, of Live from the Shed, a multimedia company that promotes “freedom” events and livestreams them, in a video.

However, advocates will maintain their “legal, democratic right to protest” by gathering in front of Parliament Hill at 3 p.m. to begin a march to city hall, he said. The march was already part of the plan but it was supposed to have started at the Supreme Court.

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“Bring your flags, banners and noise makers!” said a poster with the revised schedule.

A freedom “dance party” on Parliament Hill from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. is apparently still a go. There will be speeches, live music and DJs, Dave said. It’s unclear if the protesters have approval to hold a dance party.

The spokesperson for the committee responsible for issuing permits for public events on Parliament Hill said one was issued for Canada Day. Information about who received the permit, for what purpose and what time will not be made public, however.

A fence about eight feet high has been erected around the lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada. “Freedom” protesters who oppose COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic public health measures had announced they plan to hold a picnic party on the lawn on Canada Day, with concerts and games.
A fence about eight feet high has been erected around the lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada. “Freedom” protesters who oppose COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic public health measures had announced they plan to hold a picnic party on the lawn on Canada Day, with concerts and games. Photo by Jacquie Miller /Postmedia

“Applications and permits contain personal information and, as such, we are not in a position to disclose information that is not in accordance with the purpose for which it was originally collected, ” Stéphane Letendre, Use of the Hill program co-ordinator, said in an email.

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There are only a few official Canada Day events on Parliament Hill and they end at 4 p.m.

Canadian Heritage, however, has encouraged celebrants to visit the Hill to see the Parliament buildings and take photos. The big concerts and fireworks have been moved to LeBreton Flats and nearby Zibi plaza in Gatineau.

Ottawa Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said Monday that protesters can engage in legal demonstrations in places where they are allowed.

Police will not allow protesters to erect structures, speakers or tents, he said.

Several hundred thousand people are expected downtown to celebrate Canada Day this year, Bell said.

He said Ottawa Police will do everything possible to keep the city safe, and no illegal activity will be tolerated.

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Mayor Jim Watson urged people to head downtown to celebrate and not be intimidated or bullied by those who may try to disrupt the first in-person Canada Day party since 2019.

In the livestream, Dave said there is widespread anger in the “freedom movement” over the arrest of convoy leader Tamara Lich in Alberta on Monday.

Lich was arrested for failing to comply with a bail release condition. She had a long list of bail conditions, including a ban from all social media and an order not to “support anything related to the Freedom Convoy.”

Lich is awaiting trial on charges of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation.

The Ottawa Police Service said Tuesday that it sought the warrant for Lich’s arrest on the bail condition violation and that it was bringing her to Ottawa, where she is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

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The “freedom convoy” took over downtown streets in Ottawa for three weeks last winter, blocking streets with idling trucks and parked cars and staging parties and protests.

Dave urged people to join the anti-vaccine mandate march planned for Ottawa on June 30 and the Canada Day protests partly to show support for Lich and fellow convoy leader Patrick King, who is in jail awaiting trial.

“We cannot allow them to be locked up and chased down by a tyrannical government.”

Dave also urged everyone to be peaceful.

“We are not going to become like the government which is attacking us. They want to stir up violence. They want you to riot, but we’re not going to do that, Canada. We are going to maintain our integrity. And we’re going to keep holding the line, just as we did in Ottawa (at the convoy protest).”

Meanwhile, another anti-vaccine mandate group, Police on Guard for Thee, says it will hold a picnic in Strathcona Park on Canada Day.

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with files from The Canadian Press

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