THE BATTLEFORDS - The truckers’ protests in Ottawa got a show of support from a number of Battlefords and area residents on Wednesday afternoon.
Several supporters gathered at the base of the Battlefords Bridge between 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, on the Battleford side of the North Saskatchewan Rivers. The demonstrations were peaceful, with participants holding signs and waving Canadian flags while waving at the traffic driving on both sides of the highway.
The gathering was organized on short notice by Vicki Dutton, who had posted about it on Facebook the day before.
Dutton said they “could see that the group was under pressure there, and they needed to hear from us out here that we’re supporting you and we want you to know we thank you and we appreciate everything you’re doing.”
The participants were met with honking horns from several passing trucks and others driving past on the highway, although there were also those who drove past who didn’t honk. Those at the gathering said the honking horns told the story about how much support they were getting from the public.
There was also sentiment expressed at the gathering against the local restrictions in the area, as well as against the tone of the mainstream media coverage. One participant said they wanted the media to “tell the truth”
When asked her thoughts about what would happen next with the convoy protest, Dutton said “we’ve already won, I believe, the majority of public consent. I believe Trudeau will have to resign.”
The Battlefords has seen a number of protests and demonstrations in recent weeks against COVID-19 restrictions. A portion of the national Freedom Convoy drove through North Battleford on Jan. 24, as part of a Lloydminster-to-Regina route.
As well, there was also a local rally in support of truckers at North Battleford City Hall on Jan. 29, followed immediately by a convoy around the the city that ended at the Civic Centre parking lot.
