Toronto Police said that they are closing Queen’s Park Circle after social media posts suggested that some protesters from the trucker’s convoy will be heading from Ottawa to Toronto next.
“ROAD CLOSURE: Effective immediately, Queen’s Park Circle, from College Street to Bloor Street,” Toronto Police tweeted. “In response to several social media posts announcing a possible demonstration involving a large number of vehicles, we are taking steps to limit impact on our roads/residents. Keeping emergency routes clear and protecting key infrastructure is a priority for officers. An increased uniform presence and additional closures can be expected over the coming days. Please avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.”
ROAD CLOSURE: Effective immediately, Queen’s Park Circle, from College Street to Bloor Street.
In response to several social media posts announcing a possible demonstration involving a large number of vehicles, we are taking steps to limit impact on our roads/residents. 1/2— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) February 9, 2022
Chris Barber, one of the leaders of the protest, posted a video to TikTok late Tuesday night, claiming that some participants would be travelling to Toronto to continue their demonstration.
“I don’t think Toronto’s had quite enough entertainment for this,” he noted in the video, claiming he just came out of a meeting with a “bunch of the top brass” in their movement. “Ottawa is getting a little sticky on their law enforcement, so tomorrow we’ll pull up stake and go to Toronto.”
“Toronto get ready, it’s going to be epic. We’ve got all these trucks heading in your direction,” he added, before blowing a kiss into the camera.
In a video posted overnight convoy organizer Chris Barber claims the trucks will head to Toronto today. #ottnews #FreedomConvoyCanada2022 pic.twitter.com/Vjc005a9yC
— Stephen Hoff (@NewsHoff) February 9, 2022
Toronto had a smaller anti-vaccine mandate protest that interfered with traffic this past weekend, and social media response about a potentially larger convoy rolling into town isn’t too encouraging:
Many are thanking the police and the City of Toronto for taking action:
Thanks @TPSOperations @TorontoPolice and @JohnTory for taking appropriate measures in advance to prevent this occupation.
Thanks as well for the heads up that there will be closures. We can adapt accordingly.— Michael Bethke (@Bethkem) February 9, 2022
Toronto mayor John Tory tweeted on Wednesday that he let Toronto Police Chief James Ramer know that he supports him 100% in doing everything the police can to keep the city safe and to avoid the situations seen in other cities.
“As I said this morning, peaceful, respectful protests are an important part of the Canadian way of life. But they must also be viewed alongside the rights of other residents and businesses to go about their lives peacefully and safely. We cannot accept a state of affairs which sees one group’s rights exercised in a way that rolls over the rights of others,” Tory tweeted, adding that balance is a “necessity” and will “hopefully guide us to the right place” in these complicated matters.
“We will continue to keep Toronto residents updated as much as possible and I want to thank people for their ongoing patience and understanding as we work to get through this.”
Just met with Chief @jamesramertps for another update on the work @TorontoPolice are doing to prepare for any possible ‘convoy’ protests.
Police took action today to close some roads around Queen’s Park out of an abundance of caution. pic.twitter.com/Tf9tRtX5ZL
— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 9, 2022
Organizers of the convoy are opposed to COVID-19 restrictions and mandates, and they are vowing to continue protesting until stringent demands are met, including ending vaccine mandates and passports.
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