Canada: Police crackdown on anti-vaccine protest Freedom Convoy continues in Ottawa | Covid

Tense scenes were witnessed in Canada's capital city on February 19 as police continued their crackdown to break up the anti-vaccine protests occupying Ottawa for weeks.

A day earlier, police had reportedly arrested around 100 protestors and towed away many vehicles blocking the road.

Police personnel in tactical gear and armed with batons were seen advancing against the protestors and breaking up their ranks. Demonstrators were seen resisting, with some shooting videos on their phones and shouting slogans against the police.

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The crackdown came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act, in a rare move. The decision has been challenged in the courts by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

The protest has been led by truckers opposing mandatory vaccination rules for those crossing the border with the US. The blockade of roads in Ottawa has been dubbed Freedom Convoy, and has inspired similar demonstrations against vaccine mandates in countries like New Zealand.