The Ambassador Bridge between Canada and the US has been cleared of protests, but its reopening is still waiting.
“We must ensure that restarting traffic in the region is safe. “We need to open the roads so we don’t have the same issues,” said Windsor Police Chief Pamela Mizuno on Sunday.
On Sunday, 25-30 people were arrested, five vehicles seized, and seven towed, according to Mizuno. She was unaware of any injuries caused by police-protester encounters.
Earlier Sunday, officials, and police hoped that clearing demonstrators from the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit would help restore traffic movement after an almost week-long standstill.
“Today, our Ambassador Bridge national economic crisis ended. “I defer to police and border officials to determine whether it is safe to restore border crossings,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Sunday.
Canada has informed its American counterparts of preparations to reopen the bridge on Sunday.
“Canadian authorities are aggressive in preventing additional illegal disruptions of persons and goods flow. “Trespassers on the bridge road will be cited and their vehicles towed,” Sherwood-Randall warned. Officials in Canada plan to reopen the Ambassador Bridge today after safety tests. We are ready to assist our Canadian colleagues in whatever way possible to ensure the normal free flow of commerce can resume.”
The Ambassador Bridge blockade began last Monday as part of a wave of protests against new immunization requirements for cross-border truckers. Protesters now want all COVID-19-related restrictions lifted in Canada.
But on Friday, a judge granted an order allowing local police to remove demonstrators from the bridge. The protests at the Ambassador Bridge and the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, prompted an earlier declaration of emergency in Ontario.
Trucks have been detouring to other border crossings such as the Blue Water Bridge and the Peace Bridge, adding hours to delays.
On Sunday morning, Windsor police reported they had begun arresting demonstrators for mischief and seizing many vehicles. The cops did this while trying to negotiate with protesters.
“A police presence will be maintained in the area to ensure public safety. “Continuous examination of the situation is necessary to ensure a lasting solution,” Windsor police wrote in a Sunday statement.
According to a Sunday tweet, “enforcement is continuing in the demonstration area with zero tolerance for illegal activity.” The public should stay away.”
On Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned Freedom Convoy demonstrators at the Ambassador Bridge and in Ottawa that they could face fines, jail time, and loss of CDLs.
