Canada: Thousands protest vaccine mandates in Ottawa as 'Freedom Convoy' arrives



Thousands of protesters gathered in Ottawa on Saturday, protesting against vaccine mandates put in place to curb the spread of the virus, as a "caravan of freedom" began arriving in the capital.  The demonstrators carried banners with anti-government slogans and other hand-made banners on hockey sticks, and were joined by truck drivers.  The police presence was high as the authorities feared an escalation of the event.  No incidents have been reported at the time of writing.  The Freedom Caravan is a loosely organized convoy of trucks that set off last weekend from British Columbia to protest vaccine mandates, which also require truck drivers returning from the United States to show proof of vaccination.