‘Freedom convoys’ taking to Hwy. 401, 402 for large-scale protest Saturday http://cafe.nfshost.com/?p=7304

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‘Freedom convoys’ taking to Hwy. 401, 402 for large-scale protest Saturday

Author of the article: Free Press staff Publishing date: Mar 04, 2022  •  10 hours ago  •  2 minute read  •  233 Comments

Supporters line the Wellington Road overpass on Highway 401 to cheer on vehicles heading to January's "Freedom Convoy" protest in Ottawa. Protesters will take to the 401 and 402 Saturday as part of a Canada-wide protest. (Dale Carruthers/The London Free Press)
Supporters line the Wellington Road overpass on Highway 401 to cheer on vehicles heading to January’s “Freedom Convoy” protest in Ottawa. Protesters will take to the 401 and 402 Saturday as part of a Canada-wide protest. (Dale Carruthers/The London Free Press)

Convoys protesting COVID-19 measures plan to take to 400-series highways in Southwestern Ontario Saturday as part of a Canada-wide protest.

Multiple social media pages are promoting the weekend protests on highways 401 and 402 as part of a cross-Canada “freedom chain.”

London participants are meeting at the Flying J truck stop on Highbury Avenue at 1:30 p.m. and driving to Woodstock and Waterloo, for a march at Waterloo Town Square, according to a Facebook page promoting the event.

“Bring them flags, decorate them vehicles, don’t forget to honk them horns. Let’s roll,” a protest poster says.

OPP and Waterloo regional police said Friday they will monitor the planned protests.

Other convoys plan to leave Sarnia, Windsor and London Saturday morning, according to social media posts. Some will continue north through Toronto and Barrie to Brock, a township south of Lake Simcoe about 30 kilometres west of Lindsay.

Protests against COVID restrictions and mandates have rolled through Southwestern Ontario centres on recent weekends. They began in late January to support the so-called Freedom Convoy that occupied downtown Ottawa for three weeks and closed Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge for a week before being broken up by police.

An Ottawa-bound convoy passed through Southwestern Ontario Jan. 27, when supporters along the 401 cheered passing vehicles, many carrying Canadian flags and signs disparaging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Another convoy is set for London Saturday afternoon, marking the fifth straight weekend that a protest has passed through the city.

“We are monitoring for any potential events . . . and will share on social media if we are aware of anything that will impact the community,” London police Const. Sandasha Bough said by email.

This week, London police urged demonstrators to follow the rules of the road and respect local businesses. During past convoys, officers have been stationed at hospital entrances to ensure protests don’t disrupt patients and staff access.