In one of the more shocking developments in the Canadian government’s crackdown on the Freedom Convoy, a group of anti-coronavirus mandate protesters, Ottawa police announced Friday that members of the media could be subject to arrest.
In other words, Canadian authorities apparently do not want the world to see what they are doing to clear the protesters from the capital city.
Ottawa police tweeted, “All media who are attending the area, please keep a distance and stay out of police operations for your safety. Anyone found within areas undergoing enforcement may be subject to arrest. There will be a media availability later today.”
All media who are attending the area, please keep a distance and stay out of police operations for your safety. Anyone found within areas undergoing enforcement may be subject to arrest. There will be a media availability later today at 474 Elgin Street. #ottnews
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 18, 2022
This announcement came two days after interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell warned the public that his officers are prepared to use methods to clear the protesters that “are not what we are used to seeing in Ottawa.”
The whole point of the media is to hold the government accountable by shining a light on officials’ actions. That’s why our nation’s Founders put freedom of the press in the First Amendment.
The Canadians did the same, placing it in the country’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The document states, “Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.”
In response to the Ottawa police announcement, Canadian commentator Andrew Lawton tweeted, “[Prime Minister] Justin Trudeau said Charter rights are not under threat. … Ottawa police are threatening to arrest reporters who don’t ‘keep a distance.’
Freedom of the press is a Charter right.”
Justin Trudeau said Charter rights are not under threat from the Emergencies Act. Ottawa police are threatening to arrest reporters who don’t “keep a distance.” Freedom of the press is a Charter right. pic.twitter.com/3Cr27lBh8r
— Andrew Lawton (@AndrewLawton) February 18, 2022
Lauren Chen — a popular online personality and commentator who also hails from Canada — tweeted, “Threatening to arrest reporters who cover your crackdown on political dissidents. Amazing.”
Threatening to arrest reporters who cover your crackdown on political dissidents.
Amazing.
— Lauren Chen (@TheLaurenChen) February 18, 2022
On Thursday, Ottawa police arrested convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.
Lich was seen being taken away. She expected the arrest, noting that her bank account had been frozen by the government using its emergency powers, declared by Trudeau.
Tamara Lich has been arrested, but we will continue to #holdtheline pic.twitter.com/GaPZdsrhVe
— FreedomConvoy2022 (@rFreedomConvoy) February 18, 2022
Knowing her arrest was imminent, Lich said in a video posted on social media on Thursday, “I want you to know that I’m not afraid.”
Ottawa Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich says there is a good chance she is going to jail
“I want you to know that I’m not afraid” pic.twitter.com/UHw6hr6d8B
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 17, 2022
What is happening in Canada should be a warning to all Americans and lovers of liberty the world over.
A fundamental right of the people is to assemble and peacefully protest the actions of their government.
Do as I say, not as I do ?@JustinTrudeau @fordnation pic.twitter.com/uR5w9AHM6o
— Lauren Chen (@TheLaurenChen) February 18, 2022
It is also a fundamental right of the people to know what those in authority are doing.
Threatening members of the media with arrest is a violation of that right, which should not be tolerated.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
