Protest against Covid 19 restrictions at Ottawa gains mass support

Ottawa's mayor has declared a state of emergency after truckers protested against COVID restrictions for more than a week, BBC reported.

Jim Watson said the city was "completely out of control", with demonstrators outnumbering police.

A report said Ottawa's center is paralysed with vehicles and tents blocking roads, and protests pose a threat to residents' safety. There have also been reports of racial attacks.

In the past few weeks, protests have grown into broader challenges to Covid health restrictions sparked by last month's introduction of a new rule that truck drivers must receive vaccinations to cross the US-Canada border.

After gathering in downtown Ottawa near Parliament Hill, protesters have now expanded to call for the end of all such mandates and opposition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.

Canadian radio station CFRA quoted Mr Watson as saying the protesters were increasingly "insensitive" and keeping the party going by constantly "blaring horns, sirens, and lighting off fireworks".

He added, "This has to be reversed - our city has to be reclaimed." "We are clearly outnumbered and losing this battle," he stated.