Canadian judge bans protestors from honking amid anti-mandate demonstration

On Monday, an Ontario judge granted an injunction lasting 10 days that forbids protesters who are part of the Freedom Convoy from constantly honking their horns.

Those participating are currently parked on city streets in downtown Ottawa, blocking traffic in protest of the country’s vaccine mandate for truckers. 

“Tooting a horn is not an expression of any great thought I’m aware of,” said Ontario Superior Court Justice Hugh McLean during court proceedings.

McLean added that he had heard enough evidence that the constant honking from the convoy in protest is impeding on the right of Ottawa residents for “quiet, if we can use that term,” which he noted superseded the truckers’ right to protest.

The judge underscored that the injunction was temporary because a “myriad of people” may want to be heard before the court on the problem.

Paul Champ, the lawyer for 21-year-old public servant Zexi Li, sought the injunction that would stop people in the continuing Freedom Convoy protest from honking their vehicle horns while near downtown areas. The Convoy has been stationed in Ottawa for over a week and has no plans to leave so far.  

Ottawa Police have also been coming down on Freedom convoy demonstrators who have been hanging around the Canadian capital. They have issued numerous tickets, an effort that recently ramped up, with offenses ranging from noise complaints to improper mufflers.

Officers have also arrested some participants and taken others’ vehicles. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has written Ontario Premier Doug Ford as well as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau requesting an additional 1,800 personnel to “quell the insurrection” resulting from the Freedom Convoy.

Watson declared a state of emergency on Sunday afternoon, and police announced plans to arrest people trying to bring fuel or supplies to the protestors.