What you need to know about Day 2 of Rolling Thunder rally

Tons of of bikes rolled by means of downtown Ottawa on Saturday as a part of the weekend Rolling Thunder Ottawa rally.

Earlier within the morning, crowds gathered at the Nationwide Battle Memorial close to Parliament Hill.

Saturday’s occasions come after police reported that a crowd assembled on Rideau Road on Friday night turned aggressive.

Officers had been deployed with helmets and shields to assist management the gang. Seven individuals had been arrested for numerous fees, together with assaulting police. A number of the arrests had been for breach of undertakings, police confirmed Saturday morning.

This weekend’s occasions are being organized by a number of individuals who took half within the weeks-long occupation of metropolis streets throughout the self-described Freedom Convoy earlier this 12 months.

“I am right here for the veterans,” stated Sonny, a demonstrator draped in a Canadian flag on the Nationwide Battle Memorial. “It is a rally. Not a protest.

“We will go away proper afterwards. We’re giving honour and respect again to this nation.”

The schedule issued by organizers additionally consists of a day rally on Parliament Hill.

Whereas police shared the anticipated route for the tons of of motorcyclists driving by means of downtown on Saturday, in addition they established a car exclusion zone beginning Thursday night. Pedestrians, cyclists, public transit and different automobiles could enter the secured space, however not motorized automobiles concerned within the Rolling Thunder occasion.

Particular no-parking zones are additionally being arrange in close by neighbourhoods. A counter-protest additionally gathered on the Nationwide Battle Memorial earlier on Saturday. 

“We got here right here to let individuals know that is a fringe. They don’t signify all veterans, our nation or something,” stated Clayton Goodwin, a counter-protester and veteran. “That may be a monument owned by Canada, not veterans. To not be politicized. You tore down fences and politicized it.”

On Saturday morning, the Metropolis of Ottawa’s bylaw companies department posted on Twitter that it had issued 417 tickets and towed 30 automobiles. Police have additionally towed three automobiles to date, for a complete of 33.

Police additionally tweeted {that a} car eliminated by bylaw officers on Friday attempted to enter Ottawa on Saturday however was stopped, inspected and positioned out of service.

Three tickets had been additionally issued for noise and smoking violations.

Earlier than the weekend, organizers indicated they would depart after a Sunday morning church service within the Vanier neighbourhood of Ottawa, in response to police.