Police clear America-Canada border crossing by arresting protestors, towing vehicles

Police moved in to clear and arrest the remaining “freedom convoy” protesters near the busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing Sunday, ending a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions.

Officers started dispersing people early on Saturday after protesters refused to move following a court injunction which gave them until 7pm on Friday to clear out.

Those who did not leave were warned by police that they could be arrested and their vehicles could be seized. “We urge all demonstrators to act lawfully and peacefully,” Windsor Police said in a Twitter post, asking commuters to avoid the areas affected by the demonstrations.

The number of protestors dropped from Saturday’s estimated 100 participants to around 45, before being cleared entirely as authorities prepare to reopen the border again soon.

“Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador bridge came to an end,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, said this afternoon. “Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination.”

Among the group was Kim Dion, 57, a contractor who drove 3 hours to join the protest yesterday and returned today at 5.30am. “I went to the hotel room had a rest, then when I came back, they started to come out in large numbers,” he told DailyMail.com, referring to the hundreds of police officers that came down on the protest on Sunday morning.

“They told everybody to move or you’re going to get arrested. So some of us started trekking back. and a few were staying there holding their ground. They pushed us back to here and this is where we’re watching,” he said.

Dion said he feels good about what the protesters accomplished during their week there, adding that he wasn’t surprised by the crackdown.

“I think this was a good statement and I think it’s getting more noticed around the world. [The police] had to do this to save some jobs. If Trudeau and Forbes didn’t do this, their necks are on the lines. So they did what they did. And we accomplished what we wanted. And at any moment’s notice, if things don’t change, we could bring thousands of people back here and do this all over again,” Dion said.

“The government needs to start listening to the people and stop calling us racists and every other name just because we have a different opinion than they do. We’re here for freedom. I’m here for my grandkids, my kids. And we need this country to get back to normal,” Dion added, noting that he plans on leaving this afternoon.

Tom Meahan, another protester, was more frustrated that the blockade was forced to end before protesters’ demands were met.

“We spent the last two years throwing people’s freedom and liberty away for the illusions of these people’s safety, and it’s just not acceptable. And we came here to protest. I guess we’re just not in a democracy anymore because now the government doesn’t let you protest the government,” he told DailyMail.com.

Mayor Dilkens defended the removal of protesters in a statement on Sunday, saying, “Canada is nation that believes in the right to freedom of speech and expression, but we are also bound by the rule of law.”

He also stressed the importance of Ambassador Bridge for the Canadian economy. “This is the busiest border crossing, so it’s not just automotive. We are talking about things that impact the entire nation here. That’s why finding a resolution is so important,” he said.

Ambassador Bridge carries about $360 million a day in two-way cargoes, which is 25% of the value of all U.S.-Canada goods trade.