On Friday, the intersection was used as a staging point for a multi-block march around downtown organized by people who participated in both the Freedom Convoy and Rolling Thunder protests in Ottawa earlier this year. Jerome O’Sullivan was one of the protesters who helped set things up in January and February and was back in charge of the Canada Day march. “We just want to keep the momentum going and let people know that, you know, there are a lot of issues in this country and we don’t want to go down the road to communism,” said the man in Grand Prairie, Alta. during Friday’s march. O’Sullivan said people associated with the Freedom Parade and adjacent protests have been labeled as violent, racist, misogynist terrorists and far-right extremists — but he argues that is not the case. “We just want the right to bodily autonomy. We want to end the orders, not suspend them,” he said. “We just want to make sure our children can grow up in a society that preserves the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians.” People protesting COVID-19 health measures take part in a demonstration in downtown Ottawa during Canada Day celebrations on Friday, July 1, 2022. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press) Chants of “Free Pat King” and “Free Tamara Lich” were prominent throughout the day, references to the two high-profile Freedom Convoy figures who are both currently in prison. Long lines crossed Wellington Street as people lined up to enter the Parliament Hill grounds. A group called Freedom Fighters Canada was supposed to hold speeches and a dance party on Parliament Hill after the march, but they changed their plans immediately after police told them that wouldn’t be allowed. Before the event, organizers said permission had been secured for speeches from 5pm to 8pm, but by late afternoon, they were worried the protest group would be too crowded to be allowed on Parliament Hill. Organizers eventually decided to settle on Wellington Street, which runs right by Parliament Hill, with a portable speaker to deliver speeches.

“Unstoppable, Unshakable”

Bethan Nodwell, another Freedom Fighters Canada organizer, said the general feeling throughout the day was cemented by the arrival of Canadian Army reservist James Topp the day before. “We’re very relaxed, but we’re also very determined and unstoppable, unwavering,” he said. “I see people who are relentless in trying to end the mandates.” After speaking out about the demands of COVID-19, Topp was charged in February with two counts of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline for comments made while in uniform. He then led a four-month march to the nation’s capital from Vancouver, arriving on June 30 at the National War Memorial supported by thousands of people. One of the speakers on Wellington Street was Tom Marazzo, founder of Veterans 4 Freedom, who helped coordinate Topp’s pre-Canada Day protest and Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally. Veterans 4 Freedom has previously said it plans to maintain a presence in Ottawa throughout the summer.
A family picnic planned for Strathcona Park Friday morning was canceled at the last minute by Police On Guard, another group adjacent to the convoy involved in Canada Day planning. Many out-of-towners in Ottawa for the protests are staying at a campground near Renfrew, Ont., and were expected to head there Friday night. Police presence increased around Parliament Hill in the days leading up to this year’s Canada Day celebrations and protests against the order. (Blair Gable/Reuters)

There was a heavy police presence, arrests were made

There was a heavy police presence in Ottawa, with protesters saying they would not be allowed to set up structures or use a stage for events. Enforcement efforts included law enforcement officers handing out 284 parking tickets and towing 79 vehicles between 8am on June 29th and 5pm on July 1st. Four people were arrested near the War Memorial on Thursday, according to Ottawa police, after the event for Top. Police said they were responding to a “situation” in the area, with the arrests linked to incidents involving assaulting officers. One officer could be seen pouring water into his eyes as a woman standing nearby yelled at police using pepper spray. In court Friday morning, the defendant faced multiple charges, including assaulting a peace officer and causing a disturbance. A person protesting COVID-19 health measures, right, argues with a counter-protester during a demonstration in downtown Ottawa during Canada Day celebrations on Friday, July 1, 2022. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)

Counter-protesters make their presence known

During the march downtown, Sebastian Davids greeted the protesters by giving them the middle finger with both hands. He stood mostly silent as the marchers passed. Davids met them twice during the protest route, telling the CBC that what they were standing for is “the opposite of what a lot of Canadians stand for.” He was one of the few counter-protesters all day to engage with the crowd. “I felt that a lot of their signs and verbal text was actually quite aggressive,” he said.