Winnipeg police are warning demonstrators at Broadway and Memorial Boulevard they need to vacate the area by Wednesday evening or risk criminal charges.
The protest that’s in support of the larger anti-vaccine mandate protest in Ottawa, which was recently dispersed by law enforcement in that city, has been going on in downtown Winnipeg for more than three weeks.
In a letter delivered to protesters Tuesday, police said all vehicles, tractors, trailers and other structures have to be moved out by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
“Over the last three weeks, the Winnipeg Police Service has worked to balance your right to protest while protecting the rights of residents affected by protest activity,” the letter said.
“Your ongoing presence and blocking of streets is interfering with the lawful use and enjoyment of personal and public property.”
Police say demonstrators could be charged with intimidation and mischief under the Criminal Code if they refuse.
They could also potentially face charges under City of Winnipeg by-laws and The Manitoba Highway Traffic Act.
At Friday’s press conference, WPS Chief Danny Smyth said officers intended to continue their strategy of negotiating with the protesters — which had seen some positive results. At the time, Smyth said he didn’t feel the federal Emergencies Act would be needed in Winnipeg.
However, in the letter to demonstrators Tuesday, police cited their authority under the Emergencies Act to seize equipment and vehicles along with freezing assets.
It’s a move Coun. Sherri Rollins calls “about time.”
“I’ve heard non-stop complaints about what this is like (for) parents with small babies and small children, people who work shift work, including overnight residents with sensory needs that have been really disturbed by the honking,” Rollins told 680 CJOB on Tuesday.
“So many downtown residents that police seemingly have forgotten about in all of this, as they’ve been readily upholding the protesters’ rights, have been calling in, including today, basically incredulous as to why the police can’t remove and why they’re continuing to face targeted harassment on the city streets in the downtown,” said Rollins, who also serves as chair of the city’s standing policy committee on protection, community services and parks.
Police have acknowledged the large amount of public concern resulting from the way they’ve approached the situation — including from the city’s mayor and council, who have called for an end to the demonstration but who are clear they don’t direct WPS.
However, as of Friday’s press conference, police were unwilling to share any details on whether they’d issued any tickets or made any arrests to date.